New support launched to revive rural areas through social enterprise
Rural communities across the UK are set to benefit from a new injection of funding, launched on Monday 3rd December, to help them revive their villages through social enterprise.
The Plunkett Foundation has teamed up with long-term supporters the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to create a new comprehensive support service for rural communities considering setting up or diversifying community-owned services – like shops and pubs – to help turn the tide on rural decline.
The support, which follows the Foundation’s hugely successful Village CORE programme, funded by Esmée Fairbairn, will provide a much needed boost for communities considering community ownership, and will provide a combination of adviser support, training, feasibility grants of up to £2,000, and opportunities for networking with other rural social enterprises. The support is specifically focused at the early stage of a community’s ideas, and will help them progress to the next stage. Eligibility for support will depend on communities aiming to raise at least £10,000 themselves through community shares and support will be given to ensure communities are creating viable and sustainable businesses that engage the whole community.
For more information visit www.plunkett.co.uk or call 01993 810730.