Deadline Date: April 29, 2026
Applications are now open for the School for Social Entrepreneurs Programme to develop community business’s income and impact through a specialist programme of support and a Match Trading™ Grant.
The programme focuses on helping organisations generate trading income, build resilient and growing community businesses, adapt to changes in external environments, develop emotional resourcefulness, build and benefit from new networks, and positively impact their communities.
Through a structured learning and development programme, participants engage with experienced facilitators, sector experts, and other community business leaders to build practical skills that support long-term sustainability. The programme spans 10 learning days across a year and combines expert guidance, specialist support, and mentoring to help organisations grow their enterprise activities.
Participants also benefit from a ready-made network of peers, enabling collaboration, shared learning, and collective problem-solving. This peer-to-peer environment supports organisations in exchanging ideas, overcoming challenges, and strengthening their community impact alongside others on a similar journey.
A key component of the programme is the Match Trading™ Grant of up to £4,000, which is designed to encourage organisations to increase their trading income. To access the full funding amount, organisations must demonstrate an increase in trading income equivalent to the grant value over the course of the year. The grant is flexible and can be used to support participation in the programme as well as to implement strategies that enhance trading and business development.
To be eligible, organisations must be community businesses or actively working towards becoming one, be based in England, and be planning to start or grow their trading income. They should also be at an early stage of development and operate for public benefit rather than private gain. The programme particularly welcomes organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and those located in economically disadvantaged areas.
For more information, visit School for Social Entrepreneurs.
