Details about the launch of a new £23.7 million programme supporting the prosperity and rejuvenation of the UK’s coastal towns have been announced by the Government.

The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) will support the economic development of coastal communities by promoting sustainable economic growth and jobs, so that people are better able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities of their area.

Grants of between £50,000 and £2 million will be provided through the scheme. The funds can be used to support both capital and revenue projects and communities will be encouraged to match funds with other pots of money.

Examples of activities that may be eligible for funding include:

• supporting skills and training initiatives to improve job prospects;
• maintaining and developing specialised tourist infrastructure;
• managing and adapting to flood and coastal erosion risk;
• supporting social enterprises to bring new economic opportunities and jobs;
• offering apprenticeships to school leavers;
• creating new workspaces to support and grow local economies;
• boosting local approaches to promoting enterprise and economic regeneration;
• supporting sustainable transport improvements.

Innovative bids will be welcomed from businesses, social enterprises, local enterprise partnerships, charities and local authorities supporting the economic development of the community.

Announcing the new programme, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:

“Seaside towns and coastal communities have huge potential for economic growth that we simply can’t afford to waste – this fund can make all the difference to these places we all know and love.

“This is a great opportunity for long overlooked seaside towns, large and small, to grab a chance to grow through imaginative and innovative projects that create, skilled workers, and provide year round jobs that build stronger local economies.”

Expressions of Interest will be invited from early March with a deadline of 30 March 2012.

Click here to access the Fund Prospectus (opens in new window).

From Funding Central newsletter

In a wide-ranging speech on the economy in London, the Prime Minister has announced that a Co-operatives Bill will be introduced to Parliament before the next election. The proposed legislation will consolidate a number of outdated pieces of legislation governing co-operatives and mutuals into a single statute.

The Bill is supposed to cut red tape and help employees take a greater stake in their businesses.

David Cameron said:

“We know that breaking monopolies, encouraging choice, opening up new forms of enterprise is not just right for business but the best way of improving public services too.

“There are over 12 million co-op members in the UK. That’s more people than there are shareholders in the economy.

“But right now there are too many barriers in the way… so today I can announce they will all be brought together and simplified in a new Co-Operatives Bill that will be put before parliament.”

Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, Ed Mayo said:

“Co-operatives, as well as being widely recognised for their ethical business practices, are a vital part of the British economy, employing more than 235,000 people, turning over more than £33 billion each year and generating a significant amount of wealth for the country.”

The Prime Minister’s speech may be viewed on the Number 10 website.

Source: Number 10, 19/01/2012

Soon we hope to be adding a new feature, a searchable directory of NLSE member organisations

In the Meantime…

You can use links on the bottom right of the homepage to view current members

Call back soon

This two page guide is intended as an overview and introduction to the world of social impact mapping and evalution. It looks at different approaches, considers why and how you might decide which approach to use and lists a number of useful websites and free resources.

Download Ways to show social benefit. Updated Feb 2012 (250Kb PDF)

Originally produced for NLSE in 2009, it has been recently updated by Jez Hall of  Shared Future CIC

Info4local, aone-stop information gateway for people working in local public services. You can use this portal to get quick and easy access to the information you need from central government departments, agencies and public bodies.

A site search on Social enterprise produced these first results:

• BIS: Business support for social enterprises – Findings from a longitudinal study

• Defra: Review of social enterprise in rural England – Report

• DCLG: Tackling the blight of empty homes in Salford

• Economic and Social Research Council: Social science projects supporting innovation and enterprise in the UK

• The Big Society Capital

BIS: Business support for social enterprises – Findings from a longitudinal study (HTML format)

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Document type: Policy document, Date of publication: 23 January 2012

Summary:

This document reports on research done over the course of a year, with different sets of social enterprises covering the variety of size, growth rates, enterprise focus, mission goals and legal structures.

From:

REV:31.4.2012

Crowdfunding: using the power of social networks to finance projects or business ventures

Crowdfunding  is an innovative new way for building community, raising finance or market testing ideas

Find out more about crowdfunding at http://crowdfunduk.wordpress.com

Next workshop, Manchester 19 April 2012

Understand what crowdfunding is and how it works

• How crowdfunding can help you
• Find a platform to suit your needs
• Clarify your project or venture
• Plan a campaign using social networks and media

A campaign can be to gather donations, obtain loans, raise your profile, offer equity, test and idea or product with your market or build an active supportive community for your organisation.

Crowdfunding is an empowering alternative to grant applications.

Crowdfunding can be for a variety of purposes – getting a project off the ground; refurbishing a building; financing a film or exhibition; or funding a startup company or small business.

Who will benefit from attending?

• Social enterprises
• Charities and community groups
• Third sector support organisations
• Fundraisers
• Start-ups
• Artists and film-makers

Review of the last workshop by Crowdsource Gazette UK
Some comments from participants at the February Workshop

“All of it was useful and interesting”.

“I liked the discussion and practical activities”.

“Very good pace, practical activities.”

“I found it very useful and have already fed back to the new corporate team and started thinking of ways to use it”.

Join Anne Strachan from CrowdfundUK on the 19th April in Manchester

http://crowdfunduk.eventbrite.co.uk

EXP: 19.4.2012

The funded projects were:

Band 1 (up to £1500)

Band 2 (up to £5000)

The voting was very close.  All organisations,whether successful or not, will be helped to develop their excellent social enterprise ideas presented on the day.

It is hoped the next round of PIP funding will be in summer 2012.

Contact Jez Hall at jez.hall@sharedfuturecic.org.uk for more information or see the Lattice Works website if you want support to grow your social enterprise.

Funded places are now available for 2012 on the following courses, which means you can learn from home and it won’t cost you a penny! Vision2learn could help you to achieve a nationally-recognised qualification with help and support from an expert online tutor.

Am I eligible for a free place?

	You can be employed or unemployed
	You must be aged 19+
	You must have access to an internet-connected PC
	You must have been an EU resident for at least three years
	No qualification requirements necessary for entry

Find out more by clicking ad-boxes above

Exp: 31.3.2012

 Interest in the CICS and Co-ops Conference is brisk, but we are still taking bookings.  Thank you for those who have already booked – you should have received your confirmation – others please see below and book now.

The United Nations has designated 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives.  It offers a unique opportunity to join with 1.4 million other co-operatives across the world to promote a better way of doing business. Why not kick-start this celebratory year by attending CICS and Co-ops – A Conference.

When:- Wednesday 22^nd February 2012. 9.30 for 10.00 am. until 4pm

Where:- Burnley Town Hall. Manchester Road Burnley BB11 9SA.

To book go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CICSandCoOps

The Registrar of Community Interest Companies, Sara Burgess, will give the keynote speech on ‘CICs past, present and future’.

Tickets:

-       Free – for social enterprises and Selnet Associates (maximum 2 per organisation).

-       £15 – others

People booking need to agree that, if they book and do not turn up, they will be charged £20.

There will be plenty of opportunity to network and each social enterprise attending will be invited to bring along and display an A4 ‘poster’ selling their services and a reasonable number of leaflets.

Who should come? People interested in CICs and Co-ops, existing Community Interest Companies and Co-ops, those considering setting up a CIC, those who advise others about incorporation.

Thanks to Lancashire Community Recycling Network for this item

EXP: 22.2.2012