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Delivering
for Scotland

Community Ownership Fund

The Community Ownership Fund is helping community groups across the UK to take ownership of treasured local assets whose future may be in doubt.

What is the Community Ownership Fund?

The UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF) is a £150 million fund to help community organisations across the UK take ownership of important local assets and amenities which are at risk.  The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities manages the fund.

The Community Ownership Fund is open to voluntary and community groups to make their bids. Up to £2 million will be available for all eligible asset types and the Fund will contribute up to 80% of total capital required.  In exceptional cases the Community Ownership Fund may contribute up to 90% of total capital required. 

The funding on offer can support the purchase and renovation costs and is delivered as a grant.

Example projects may include:

  • Sports and leisure facilities
  • Cinemas and theatres
  • Music venues
  • Museums
  • Galleries
  • Parks
  • Pubs
  • Post office buildings
  • Shops

Successful bids

In the first rounds of bidding there have been 47 successful projects in Scotland each receiving a share of £17 million pounds.  Explore these projects (the house symbols) on the levelling up map:

One of these is the Lochranza Country Inn.  The UK Government provided £300,000 for a community buyout of the last remaining inn in the village.  A valuable hub for village life, the inn was at risk of being lost forever after closing due to the pandemic.  Hear about their story in this short video:

Who can apply?

Voluntary and community organisations can apply. Organisations must present a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset that is at risk and demonstrate how they will operate it in a sustainable manner for benefit of the community.

Funding applications will only be accepted from organisations set up to deliver charitable purposes either for social purpose or public benefit.

How to apply

Community groups should read the full prospectus and assessment criteria guidance for the current round of funding before they apply.

Interested groups should then submit their initial expression of interest by completing a question form.

If successful, the community group or organisation can then submit a full application for the fund.

Unsuccessful applications will be provided with feedback on why they were ineligible.

How to express your interest in applying - external link

Additional Support

For any queries relating to submitting an expression of interest please visit mycommunity.org.uk

Further Information

Explore how the UK Government is Levelling Up across Scotland.