Community Ownership Awards open for entries

The Plunkett Foundation's Community Ownership Awards 2016 are open for entries.

Community-owned businesses in the UK and Ireland are being encouraged to enter the awards run by the national charity Plunkett Foundation.

The awards have nine geographic categories and are open to all forms of trading activity from shops and pubs to farms, woodlands and broadband projects.

Launching the Awards, Plunkett’s Head of Frontline James Alcock said:

"All over the UK and Ireland, people living in rural areas are taking matters into their own hands to address some of the challenges associated with rural life. Many rural people are experiencing loneliness, isolation or poverty because it’s difficult to access a lot of the things that are needed to participate fully in society and modern life – things like a regular bus service, being able to buy affordable food at a local shop, having reliable access to the internet, or somewhere to socialise and meet people.

"At Plunkett we’ve seen first-hand the huge difference that co-operation can make, which is why we help people to set up businesses that are owned and run by the community and that address some of the biggest challenges facing our rural communities today. The Awards will help celebrate the many fantastic examples all over the UK, and raise awareness about the co-operative model to an even wider audience."

You can enter the awards until 14 October 2016, and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in London on 28 November.

To find out more, and to enter, visit the Community Ownership Awards website.