Concept

Building Community Fund is a concept to purchase and develop land and buildings to bring about long-term social, economic and environmental benefits in the community.

Community ownership of buildings and land can transform even the most struggling community – energizing local people and providing the long term foundation for enterprise and renewal. There are hundreds of examples where derelict or underused town halls, schools, warehouses, pubs, office blocks and wasteland have been transformed from a blight and a liability into a thriving community asset – delivering services and amenities for local people and generating revenue which can be reinvested to achieve further social benefits.

The Unitied Kingdom's government have shown a strong commitment to neighbourhood renewal projects producing a number of white papers and successive legislative reports. The government is keen to encourage community asset building throughout the country as a means to revitalise disadvantaged areas.

As yet little as be said about the challenges that faces those looking to develop community assets. There are many challenges from start to finish notably getting ideas across to ensure funding, enlisting members of the community to help develop and maintain the buildings or land. Community asset building is not easy and projects will only succeed if comprehensive research first takes place. Managing a building or community business is hard work and will need expertise at all levels. Structures need to be implemented to facilitate power, influence information and shared space for people in neighbourhoods.