Australia’s first dedicated community ownership support service and fund is on the way
ACRE is thrilled to announce the establishment of Community Owned Australia — an Australian-first support service and fund providing the guidance, support and appropriate capital rural communities need to own, operate and sustain the assets they rely on – turning them into engines for social, economic and environmental renewal.
This initiative has been made possible through remarkable seed investment from the Paul Ramsay Foundation, AMP Foundation and the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation.
Community ownership is a catalytic driver of systems change in rural communities – shaping who holds value, makes decisions, and benefits over time.
Community Owned Australia will deliver:
- A Support Service – assessing community readiness and providing structured, tailored support at every stage of the ownership journey.
- A Feasibility Grants Program– up to $50,000 to fund the technical groundwork.
- The Rural Fund – an Australian-first: patient, concessional loan capital with up to 12-year terms, so communities can actually purchase the assets they need.
ACRE has partnered with Plunkett UK and the Development Trusts Association of Scotland, bringing more than 25 years of international evidence, particularly from the UK and Scotland, where community ownership has supported over 1,000 communities to revitalise their local economies. This globally informed approach is now being adapted to the Australian context.
Read more about the recent announcement at SEGRA’s National Regional and Economic Development Summit.
ACRE will continue to work with partners to refine and activate Community Owned Australia, with further details to be released in the coming months.
Register to receive updates on Community Owned Australia.
