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Policy

We work with others on policy, advocacy and
campaigning work to create change for
communities in Wales.

Click here to read our manifesto.

Community Rights

Our Strong Welsh Communities Manifesto called for more recognition and rights for communities, specifically in relation to the asset transfer process. We want to see communities in Wales granted stronger rights to own and control buildings and local land, through the development of brand-new legislation, based on experiences elsewhere in the UK.

We know that legislation alone will not be enough to create long-term change and want to see accompanying resources and support to help build capacity within community organisations and groups.

We are also part of the Community Ownership Group which exists in order to see more assets being run by communities, especially if those assets are at risk of loss to the community. The group is a network of organisations who all work with community groups who have come together to make the case for changes to the process by which communities can take ownership of assets. We believe the system needs reform, regardless of whether the asset is transferring from a public, private, or voluntary sector organisation.

Click here to read our manifesto.

Investment

Our Strong Welsh Communities Manifesto called for the next round of money from UK dormant stocks, shares, insurance and pension funds to be used to give communities in Wales the long-term, flexible funding they need to plan and deliver projects in their local areas.

The expanded Dormant Assets Act, which provides an estimated £44m for Wales from unused shares and pension funds (£880m across the UK), provides a unique opportunity to develop long-term, flexible funding models providing a critical investment for communities.

We want to see a Community Wealth Fund for Wales which could provide community-based organisations with access to long-term flexible funding for community action. Funding of this nature can sustain activities that will impact across generations, whilst also building local resilience and strong community assets.

To join the group working to develop a Community Wealth Fund campaign, please contact eleri.williams@bct.wales

Recent blog articles

Blog
Reforms are needed to improve community asset acquisition processes in Wales, to benefit the sustainability, wellbeing and resilience of rural communities
Reforms are needed to improve community asset acquisition processes in Wales, to benefit the sustainability, wellbeing and resilience of rural communities
Turning £44m into support for community action.
Turning £44m into support for community action.

As Welsh Government’s consultation into the future spending purposes for the Dormant Assets Scheme in Wales comes to a close BCT’s Policy Officer, Eleri, outlines why we’re calling for the funding to be used to support community action.

A Way Forward for Community Rights in Wales?
A Way Forward for Community Rights in Wales?

Georgina Edwards, Policy and Research Manager at the Plunkett Foundation reflects on our recent panel event focused on Community Assets.

Community groups highlight cost-of-living challenges at Senedd
Community groups highlight cost-of-living challenges at Senedd
Success in securing resources for a Community Wealth Fund in England. Wales next? 
Success in securing resources for a Community Wealth Fund in England. Wales next? 
New year marked with enthusiastic show of support for community assets in Senedd
New year marked with enthusiastic show of support for community assets in Senedd
Communities – Wales unsung asset?
Communities – Wales unsung asset?
New In Post: Eleri Williams
New In Post: Eleri Williams
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: CREATE AN ENABLING STATE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION IN WALES
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: CREATE AN ENABLING STATE FOR COMMUNITY ACTION IN WALES

Building Communities Trust’s Policy Officer, Matthew Brindley, describes why supporting communities to develop their strengths and assets should be a top priority for Government and decision makers in 2022.

THE SENEDD ELECTIONS AND THE FUTURE OF STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES
THE SENEDD ELECTIONS AND THE FUTURE OF STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES

Building Communities Trust’s Policy Officer, Matthew Brindley looks back at the election campaign for Strong Welsh Communities and outlines how the new Welsh Government and Senedd can help develop the strengths and assets of local people and community-based organisations.

WHY THE NEXT WELSH GOVERNMENT NEED TO PRIORITISE COMMUNITY ACTION
WHY THE NEXT WELSH GOVERNMENT NEED TO PRIORITISE COMMUNITY ACTION

Matthew Brindley, Building Communities Trust’s policy officer outlines why it’s so important the next Government recognise, respect and invest in Strong Welsh Communities and their organisations.

PUTTING WELSH COMMUNITIES AT THE HEART OF THE FOUNDATIONAL ECONOMY
PUTTING WELSH COMMUNITIES AT THE HEART OF THE FOUNDATIONAL ECONOMY

Elin Hywel from Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog outlines why the next Welsh Government needs to recognise Welsh Communities as a huge, largely untapped resource of wellbeing and resilience and key to sustaining and developing local economies in Wales.

MANIFESTO LAUNCH: STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES, 27 JANUARY 2021
MANIFESTO LAUNCH: STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES, 27 JANUARY 2021

In the first of our two launch events for the Strong Welsh Communities manifesto and campaign, we shared the manifesto and discussed how community groups can get involved in the campaign to build healthier, happier, more resilient communities in Wales.

A MANIFESTO FOR STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES BEYOND COVID
A MANIFESTO FOR STRONG WELSH COMMUNITIES BEYOND COVID

Matthew Brindley, Building Communities Trust’s policy officer outlines why the next Welsh Government needs to recognise, respect and invest in Strong Welsh Communities.

A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO COVID
A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO COVID

As we launch our report A Community Response to Covid, Dr Duncan Holtom from People & Work explains the key findings from the research.

TIME FOR A WEALTH FUND FOR COMMUNITIES IN WALES?
TIME FOR A WEALTH FUND FOR COMMUNITIES IN WALES?

Chris Johnes, Chief Executive of the Building Communities Trust outlines why UK and Welsh Government need to prioritise long-term investment led by local people to transform their communities

COMMUNITIES ON THE FRINGE
COMMUNITIES ON THE FRINGE

Matthew Brindley, Building Communities Trust’s policy officer reflects on where communities sit in the wider public policy debate following the autumn party conferences in Wales.

COMMUNITIES BEYOND COVID: THE KRUGER REPORT
COMMUNITIES BEYOND COVID: THE KRUGER REPORT

Chris Johnes, Chief Executive of Building Communities Trust, discusses a new report commissioned by the UK Government on encouraging and supporting local community activity after Covid.

HOW TO GROW OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES IN WALES
HOW TO GROW OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES IN WALES

Last night, BCT and CLES launched Our Local Economies – a manifesto that sets out what is needed for communities in Wales to build prosperity.

GUEST POST: BUILDING EMPOWERED TOWN COMMUNITIES IN WALES
GUEST POST: BUILDING EMPOWERED TOWN COMMUNITIES IN WALES

There is a shift occurring in our public services. This shift is characterised by a recognition that traditional ‘top down’ approaches can no longer solve the complex social problems that we face as a society.

WELCOME TO THE BCT WEBSITE
WELCOME TO THE BCT WEBSITE

Hello, and welcome to BCT. We’re really excited to be starting out with a shiny new website, and a team of staff ready to deliver our Invest Local programme.