News
Free Business Support for Social Clubs!
Are you part of a social club looking to secure a thriving future? Do you want to expand your business plan to create new revenue streams and boost your community impact? And are you interested in exploring flexible, patient finance options to help bring your vision to life? Join our free webinar series to explore […]
Triple A for Team ICOF
You may be used to seeing photos of Business Development Manager Tim, and Lending and Relationship Manager Kevin out and about but there are two more people that make up the Co-op & Community Finance team. If you have a loan with us, you will certainly have dealt with them. We’re talking today about the […]
Reflecting on Our Away Day – Strengthening Our Commitment to EDI and the Co-operative Movement
At Co-operative and Community Finance, our annual Away Day is a valuable opportunity to reflect, collaborate, and strengthen our commitment to supporting the co-operative movement and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within our organisation. This year’s event focused on reinforcing our core values, identifying what drives success within our team, and recognising areas that […]
Celebrating the Year of Co-ops, together
It’s hard to believe that two years ago, we were celebrating our fiftieth birthday. That milestone felt momentous, and yet here we are, with time still rolling, at the ripe old age of almost 52. The Rochdale Pioneers seeded the co-operative movement and 181 years later the International Co-operative Alliance reports that 12% of the global […]
£40 million fund open for charities and community energy groups
The Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme distributes funds, paid by companies who may have breached Ofgem rules, to Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, Co-operative Societies and Community Benefit Societies, to deliver energy related projects that meet the scheme priorities and benefit people in England, Scotland and Wales. The core priority is to help people who […]
Nominations are open NOW for the Plunkett UK Awards 2025 Rural Community Business Awards
The Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, will celebrate the best in Rural Community Business at a ceremony on Thursday 3 July 2025 at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London These annual awards are an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of community-owned businesses across the UK, and the dedicated and inspiring individuals behind their […]
The Recovery Loan Fund is now the Community Builders Fund, and it’s live!
The Community Builders Fund, previously the Recovery Loan Fund, supports impact-led charities and social enterprises across England, Wales, and Scotland with flexible loans of £100k to £1.5m to help them grow and build long-term resilience. We are delighted to be new partners as the fund relaunches. Building on the success of the Recovery Loan Fund, […]
Maintenance works completed with new finance package secured for community pub
A public house and restaurant in Wiltshire have completed essential property maintenance works after securing new loan and grant finance for their community venture. The Winterbourne pub is located in the village of Winterbourne Bassett about six miles southwest of Swindon and has been owned as a community asset by its residents after a successful […]
We’re thrilled to be part of extended funding from the Community Shares Booster Fund
The Community Shares Booster Fund has extended its offer of flexible funding, thanks to a top‑up of support from Access – the Foundation for Social Investment. This will enable the fund to continue supporting the community shares market throughout 2025 and beyond. Community shares are a way for people to invest in businesses that benefit […]
Beloved community asset thrives as pub secures new investment
A popular nineteenth-century village pub has received a new funding package enabling refinancing and securing its role as a vital community asset. The Helions Bumpstead Community Benefit Society was set up in 2014 with a view to take community ownership of their local pub the ‘Three Horseshoes’ (located in northwest Essex) after it was registered […]
Book now to join Stir To Action for the ABCs of Community Assets
The ABCs of Community Assets, a new training programme from Stir to Action aiming to inspire a nation of new community asset leaders, is open for bookings, now. Running from the 12th of March to the 9th July 2025, the programme – featuring workshops and study visits – will support local groups to find out […]
BOOK NOW: Alternative Business Models Course from Stir To Action and Co-op Culture
Expand your knowledge to include less common and innovative approaches to business and governance. When it comes to setting up a new organisation, or supporting others to do so, all legal frameworks, whether private, mutualistic, or charitable, are a response to some simple questions: Who should own it? Who should benefit from its value? And […]