The UK government has announced a significant new investment that will give communities greater control over what happens locally.
The Community Economic Development (CED) programme is a new initiative designed for local community groups and organisations who want to take a lead in shaping their economies for the benefit of local communities.
Communities that want to work towards real economic change – whether this is in food, housing, finance, energy or any other local economic opportunities – will benefit from this new CED programme.
| “This is the first true community economic development programme for more than a decade. It is grassroots, bootstrap self-help that will enable people take control, as a community, of their own economic prospects.”
~ Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK |
The programme will help 50 communities develop their own community economic development plans. Each tailored plan will identify practical opportunities to develop the local economy and boost engagement so community members are actively shaping the economic future of the local area. Specialist support, advice and grant funding will be offered to help residents, local business and public sector organisations to work together to develop the best ideas to strengthen the local economy.
Whether that’s working on a strategy to promote local spending, exploring the possibility of developing a rural broadband co-operative, or working with key organisations to promote community-led housing, this programme will help passionate people who are committed to working together create a local economic plan that can deliver real local benefits.
The CED programme is delivered by Co-operatives UK with The New Economics Foundation, The Community Development Foundation, The Community Development Finance Association and Locality. The programme is part of a £6 million funding boost by the Department for Communities and Local Government last month to the Community Rights programme. Overall, the Community Rights program represents a £32 million investment.
