Community Enterprise Fund

The Community Enterprise Fund supports community groups wishing to establish or expand community enterprises which contribute to the rural services and economic improvement in their local communities.

Projects must:

• Be either an established or prospective social enterprise or an established voluntary organisation wishing to develop an enterprise-based activity
• Be either an incorporated and socially-owned legal entity or intending to incorporate as such as part of the project
• Be a group with a defined social purpose
• Be located in a targeted rural area specified by the programme
• Have the potential to achieve economic viability, even if this is with the benefit of some minor grant support or voluntary contributions
• Evidence local need for the service (e.g. through community consultation, market research, feasibility studies)
• Have individuals who possess the skills and expertise to implement the project successfully, or they are able to indicate how they will acquire or develop them