Community Ownership Fund Round 3: how to express your interest in applying
This fund helps community groups buy or renovate assets that would otherwise be lost to the community.
The Community Ownership Fund expression of interest (EOI) is currently paused for applications while we make updates to the EOI platform ahead of the launch of Round 4 of the Community Ownership Fund. The form will be closed from 11 January and we expect it to reopen in late February 2024.
We have shut the platform 3 weeks prior to the closure date of Round 3 Window 3 (midday 31 January 2024). EOIs must be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the closure of a window in order for an outcome to be issued in time for a full application to the fund – so applicants will not be disadvantaged by this closure. If you submitted an EOI on or before 10 January 2024, we will still process your form and you can expect to receive an outcome by Wednesday 24 January 2024.
If you would like an indication of your project’s suitability in the meantime, you can still make an enquiry with our development support provider, via the enquiry form on the My Community website. Please note – a positive indication of suitability from the development support provider does not entitle you to submit a full application and you will be expected to submit an Expression of Interest when it reopens.
Summary of the Community Ownership Fund
You must read the full details about the fund in the prospectus before you start your expression of interest. The prospectus contains everything you need to know about our eligibility criteria.
This fund helps community groups buy or renovate assets that would otherwise be lost to the community.
Assets are venues and meeting spaces used by the local community, such as:
- community centres
- cinemas and theatres
- galleries
- museums
- music venues
- parks
- post office buildings
- pubs
- shops
- sporting and leisure facilities
Some of the ways an asset might be lost include that it:
- might be closed
- might be sold
- is being neglected
- is at risk of damage or collapse
- is not being operated in a sustainable way
The asset must offer value to local people. You must be able to run it sustainably for the long term.
How to start an application
Before you can apply, you must submit an expression of interest (EOI). This is a short form that enables us to assess your eligibility for the fund.
If you have previously submitted a successful EOI you will not need to submit a new EOI for the same project. EOIs remain valid for each new application window, as long as your project proposal remains the same. If you have received a successful EOI outcome, you will be invited to submit a full application for the fund when each full application window opens.
Development support is now available to applicants via the My Community website.
Our development support provider offers initial support and advice to all interested applicants up to the EOI stage.
After the EOI stage, certain applicants will be able to access in-depth support for the development of their application and business case, this may also include access to small revenue grants to secure specialist support
Start your expression of interest
The questions are straightforward and we expect it will take you around 10 minutes to complete. Please answer all questions accurately and truthfully.
Here is the list of questions you will be asked when submitting an EOI application.
1. Is the asset in the UK?
2. Is the asset at risk?
3. Has the asset been used by the community in the past?
4. Address of the asset
5. Postcode of the asset
6. Describe your project and its aims
7. Main way the asset will be used
8. How much capital funding will you apply for?
9. What’s the main way you’ll use the capital funding?
10. Does a public authority own the asset?
11. Please can you summarise the stage you are at in terms of negotiating an agreement to acquire the asset from its owner?
12. Will the asset have a leasehold of at least 15 years when your organisation buys it?
13. Will you ask us for funding to support your revenue costs?
14. How much revenue funding will you apply for?
15. What do you expect to use the revenue funding for?
16. Do you expect to secure cash match funding?
17. Where do you expect to get the cash match funding from?
18. What progress have you made to secure the required match funding?
19. If you are going to undertake a community share offer, what financial size will the offer be?
20. Do you expect to secure any ‘in-kind’ match funding?
21. What sorts of ‘in-kind’ match funding do you expect to secure?
22. Will your organisation be both receiving the funding and running the project?
23. Is your organisation subject to any insolvency actions?
24. Would you be interested in receiving support to help progress your project and submit a COF application?
25. If you are interested in applying for support, what are the main things that feel you need support with, in order to submit a good COF application?
26. Organisation name
27. Address of organisation
28. Postcode of organisation
29. Type of organisation
30. Lead contact first name
31. Lead contact last name
32. Lead contact email address
33. Lead contact telephone number
34. When will you submit your application, if we invite you to?
Anyone from England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland can express an interest in applying. The process is the same in all areas.
If you’re planning to apply jointly with another organisation, only one of the organisations can submit an EOI.
You can plan to apply for more than one asset, but you must submit an EOI for each one.
You can express your interest at any time. If you’re successful, you’ll be invited to submit a full application, which you do not have to do immediately, so choose the right time for your project. Check the bidding window timings for the full application stage in the prospectus. For example, if you plan to apply in Round 3 window 1, you will need to express your interest at least 3 weeks before the closing date of 12 July 2023.
What happens next
You can expect a response to your expression of interest within 3 weeks.
If you’re:
- successful, we’ll invite you to apply at a time that’s right for you
- unsuccessful, we will not invite you to apply, but will include feedback on why you’re ineligible
Ask a question about your expression of interest
Find the Development Support provider at the My Community website.
Last updated 11 January 2024 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect a pause in expression of interest applications ahead of the launch of round 4 of the Community Ownership Fund.
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First published.