Building a network of networks for community businesses

Power to Change

Unlocking the treasure trove of local expertise

Power to Change is a £150m lottery-funded organisation focused on helping community businesses in England to grow.

Their research revealed that 72% of community businesses work closely with one another, with 69% actively supporting the development of new community businesses.

Power to Change wanted to find ways to unlock the treasure trove of local expertise in community business networks across England.

Unlocking Networks

In partnership with Power to Change and Shared Assets, we ran Unlocking Networks, an 18 month peer learning programme helping community business networks to innovate, collaborate and explore new business models together.

Over the course of the programme we ran retreats, monthly online seminars and training days with participating network members.

The programme resulted in a growing body of insight, understanding and knowledge to help networks scale. We have made this publicly available at Unlocking Networks.

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