Inspiring Rural Communities Together Conference 2017

The Plunkett Foundation know that rural life in the UK isn’t always easy, with the decline of vital services, the limited availability of jobs, affordable housing, public transport, adequate broadband and the rising cost of utilities, can mean for many people, living in a rural area presents a daily challenge.

They also know that rural communities, with a little help, can address these challenges themselves and that the long-term solution is often achieved through enterprises that are owned by the community, for the benefit of the community - an approach that Plunkett calls community co-operatives.

If your community is experiencing similar issues, the Inspiring Rural Communities Together Conference is here to help you.

This conference is free of charge and open to anyone that lives in, or supports, a rural community in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and wants to save or start a community co-operative - from shops, pubs, woodlands, renewable energy schemes, transport services or anything else, or are simply looking for inspiration and advice.

By attending the Inspiring Rural Communities Together Conference, not only will they introduce you to the community co-operative model, why they work and what the first steps are to set one up, you’ll also meet and share ideas with other communities, organisations and people to gain new insights. Talks and workshops on the day will include:

• How two thriving community co-operatives achieved their goals and the lessons they learnt along the way
• How to build a strong foundation for your community co-operative – the essential elements from legal structures, business planning and funding
• How your community can get involved and the importance of consultation

The event is taking place as part of the Rural Community Co-operatives project and is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.