Dr Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive of CLES, a national organisation focused on local economies, said: “For too long, communities across the UK have seen local land and buildings sold off, losing the chance to shape what happens in their own neighbourhoods. It’s time to turn that around.

“This partnership project will help people take greater control of local assets, keep wealth rooted in their communities and build a brighter future for local places.”

Phil Tulba, Associate Director for Assets and Enterprise at The Ubele Initiative, which supports Black and Minoritised communities to build community wealth, added: “For over a decade, The Ubele Initiative have empowered communities from Black and racially minoritised backgrounds to act as catalysts for social and economic change.

“Through our programmes such as Agbero, EDP and the Phoenix programme, we have supported over 150 organisations and countless more communities to manage, invest and grow their assets.

“With the Inclusive Ownership project, we are excited to expand on this work, reaching communities throughout England, using their grassroots insights to shape national policy.

“As the lead for England and EDI Partner, we are delighted to work with leading infrastructure organisations to deliver this project and help communities from all backgrounds to flourish.”

Bethan Webber, Chief Executive of Cwmpas, a Wales-based co‑operative development agency, said: “Post-industrial communities in Wales encounter a complex combination of structural, economic, and social barriers that hinder their ability to take control of local assets.”

“Across the coalfield, communities are fighting to take ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them. We’re excited to bring our experience to this partnership and work with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales to help communities to build a fairer, stronger and more resilient future for themselves and generations to come.”

Michelle Rowson Woods, Head of Operations (Wales) at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, a charity supporting community wealth building in coalfield areas, said: “Protecting the places that matter to people is vital to the future of coalfield communities. When these are lost, communities lose connection and opportunity. But when communities take ownership, they can shape what they need, support one another and build a stronger, fairer economy and future for the people who live there.”

Christabel Buchanan, Movement Co‑ordinator at Shared Assets, a membership organisation supporting the sustainable use of land for social, environmental and economic benefit, said: “We are in deep crisis underpinned by unjust access to land – with over half of all land in the UK owned by aristocrats, corporations and oligarchs.

At Shared Assets we believe that everyone should be part of decisions about the land around them not just a select few.

Community ownership could mean affordable housing, healthy and nutritious food for all, essential community spaces, and sustainable energy.

We are delighted to be collaborating with our Scottish partners, Community Land Scotland, to enable and support communities towards community ownership and successful governance of vital local resources.”

The five-year Inclusive Ownership project begins this summer, supporting communities across the UK to take control of local land and buildings and build stronger, more sustainable futures.