How to form a community group

 

Cydcoed is designed to give grants directly to communities, at a local level. We will therefore only give grants to community groups. We cannot give funds to unitary authorities, government agencies, Wales-wide non-governmental organisations, profit-making organisations or individuals.

We will need to be confident that the funds we give will be used for the Cydcoed projects. That is why we ask that all community groups receiving Cydcoed funds have a formal structure and stated objects. As a minimum, the group must have a formal constitution.  In some cases, we will ask for the community group to be incorporated. Have a look at options A, B and C to see whether your group is ready for one of our grants yet.

Option A
Is there an existing constituted community group that could receive the funds? If so, that group should apply for the Cydcoed grant. If no formal group exists go to B or C. Work with your project officer to find out whether your group just needs a constitution (B), or whether it will need to become incorporated (C).

Option B
If no suitable group exists which can receive the funds, then you must form a constituted community group (sometimes called an unincorporated association).
If a group already exists, you can give it a formal constitution. If no group exists, you will need to form one.
A constituted community group must have a constitution stating the objects and structure of the group.
Go to constituted community groups for advice on how to adopt a constitution.

Option C
Cydcoed may require the community group to be incorporated.
This means that the community group must either become a Company Limited by Guarantee or a Charitable Company registered with Companies House, or an Industrial and Provident Society registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies.
Go to becoming incorporated for advice on how to become incorporated.

Adopting a constitution and becoming incorporated are both straightforward procedures. You should find that to do it will help the group to manage group activities and to access grant funding.