We are delighted to invite you to an upcoming webinar, ‘Unlocking the potential of community-based finance to drive local impact’, supported by Connected Places Catapult.
This webinar will present findings from our recent report examining the UK’s community-based finance ecosystem – highlighting case studies, unpacking the barriers limiting growth, and opportunities to overcome them. This session is essential for:
- Place leaders and local authorities
- Community organisations and social enterprises
- Place-based funds
- Philanthropists and impact investors
- Anyone committed to locally-led economic development
Why community-based finance matters now
Community-based finance puts decision-making power where it belongs—in local hands. With capital sourced directly from within communities or channelled through trusted local organisations, it’s finance that aligns with genuine community needs.The timing couldn't be more critical. As places pursue sustainable local economic development, policy shifts are creating new opportunities:
- Increased devolution and ‘plans for neighbourhoods’ transferring more power and resources to local areas
- New industrial strategy prioritising regional growth
- Reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme creating new investment pathways
- Growing interest within government in how to partner with the impact economy
These policy shifts create an opportunity for community-based finance to become a cornerstone of inclusive, locally-led growth.
What you’ll gain
By exploring success stories, challenges, and opportunities, this webinar aims to provide participants with actionable insights into how community-based finance can attract funding and investment, empower local actors, and create a more resilient financial ecosystem. It also seeks to build on this discussion to explore ways in which governments, regulators, and market builders can support the growth of community-based finance.
Through presentations and facilitated group discussions, this event will give participants an opportunity to:
- Understand what community-based finance is, why is it important, and how it relates to their work
- Learn how community-based finance models and mechanisms are contributing to local impact
- Discuss the challenges and opportunities for the growth of community-based finance in the UK
- Explore how to practically take forward some of the report's recommendations
Agenda
- 10:00-10:05 – Welcome and introduction
- 10:05-10:15– Insights from the report “The Art of the Possible: Unlocking the Potential of Community-Based Finance”
- 10:15- 10:45- Case study presentations
- 10:45-11:10- Q&A and discussion on growing community-based finance
- 11:10-11:15- Final remarks and next steps
Speakers
This event will be chaired by Mark Hall, Senior Program Manager, Impact Investing Institute.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Nicky Twemlow, Made In Stoke
- Karl Harder, Abundance
- Erel Onojobi, Power to Prosper
- Mark Hall- Senior Program Manager, Impact Investing Institute
- James Cushing- Head of Regional and Local Growth, Connected Places Catapult
- Ipsa Agnani- Program Coordinator, Impact Investing Institute
Register here to secure your space. If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to extend this invitation to a colleague. We hope to see you there.
