Village Core Programme

The Village CORE Programme is a dedicated support programme for communities looking to set up and run a community-owned rural shop.

It provides advisory support along with a £40,000 funding package comprised of a £20,000 grant matched with a £20,000 loan, which is also matched by the equivalent community contributions.

This programme, which had already supported over 50 new community-owned rural shops by the end of 2009, has recently been renewed for a further three years.

The Village CORE Programme is managed by the Plunkett Foundation in partnership with Co-operative & Community Finance and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Grants will be awarded to rural communities of at least 300 people which are planning to set up a community-owned shop.

For further details of the programme and how your community can apply for support please visit the main Plunkett Foundation site.