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Browse 100+ case studies via our interactive Case Study Mapper to explore examples of social investment in action in your area!
 

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Have a great story of taking on social investment? We're looking for new case studies to share - submit yours below or email aconstable@goodfinance.org.uk

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Câr-Y-Môr

A community owned business using regenerative ocean farming, food security and sustainable job creation to improve both the coastal environment and the well-being of the local community.

Duration
12 Months
Cost of capital
7.9%
Turnover
£783
Investor Details
Social Investment Cymru
Amount invested
£425,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Photo of school children with solar panels

Egni Co-operative was established in 2013 and provides rooftop solar on schools, businesses and community buildings. It has installed solar panels on almost 100 sites across Wales.

Duration
20 Years
Cost of capital
4%
Turnover
£460,000
Amount invested
£5m
Product type
Community shares
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Wolverton Communtiy Energy - outside of a building with solar panels on

Wolverton Community Energy are based in Milton Keynes. They develop and manage community-owned solar PV and supply greener, cheaper solar energy to local businesses, the majority of which are charities and social enterprises. In addition, they run projects which help to improve energy efficiency within their community. This includes the Home Energy MK programme, supporting homeowners wishing to stop heat loss from their homes and cut energy costs.

Duration
14 years
Cost of capital
5-6%
Turnover
£55,000
Investor Details
Big Issue Invest
Amount invested
£257,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Win Turbine courtesy of Ambition Lawrence Weston / The Landmark Practice

Ambition Community Energy (ACE), is a Bristol-based social enterprise generating clean, affordable energy, run by the people of Lawrence Weston. 

Duration
3-5 years (depending on tranche)
Cost of capital
5%
Turnover
Nil
Investor Details
Bristol and Bath Regional Capital
Amount invested
£750,000 (+ £150,000 from Power to Change)
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
Secured loan
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Volunteer at Trees for Life, replanting

Trees for Life is home to the first (known) rewilding centre in the UK and their vision is of a revitalised wild forest in the Highlands of Scotland, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.

Duration
9 years
Cost of capital
6%
Turnover
£3,030,847
Investor Details
Triodos Bank - Corporate Finance team
Amount invested
£2 Million
Product type
Charity bonds
Crowd-funded investment
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Farm Urban

Farm Urban is a social enterprise based in the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool and they operate the city’s first vertical farm whilst also delivering a range of educational and outreach programmes. 

Duration
5 Years
Cost of capital
10%
Turnover
£411,768
Investor Details
Livv Investment
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Gro-organic

Gro-Organic are a multiple award-winning social enterprise team based in the West Midlands made up of passionate, local people who together are creating outstanding green spaces whilst investing in local people and the community.

Duration
6 years
Cost of capital
7%
Turnover
£400,000 +
Investor Details
Resonance
Amount invested
£150,000
Product type
Social Investment Tax Relief
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The Skill Mill

The Skill Mill are social enterprise providing employment for young ex–offenders in watercourse and horticulture services.

Duration
4 years
Cost of capital
7-8%
Turnover
Not available
Investor Details
Resonance
Amount invested
£1m with £100,000 through SITR
Product type
Social Investment Tax Relief
Social Impact Bonds
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Nemi Teas

This #AChangingWorld episode features Pranav Chopra, a social entrepreneur who founded Nemi Teas. This podcast definitely goes down even better with a cup of tea as he talks about how social investment has played a part in his journey and the potential ways to scale up.

Duration
5 years
Cost of capital
9.5%
Turnover
£70,000
Investor Details
UnLtd
Amount invested
£50,000
Product type
Blended – part grant, part loan
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Hubbub Foundation UK

Hubbub is a London-based environmental charity that engages with corporates and foundations to sponsor research and campaigns, in order to promote understanding and behaviour change to help people cut waste, make clothes last longer, save money and create cleaner spaces to live and work in.

Duration
2 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£733,638
Amount invested
£100,000
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Doncaster Refurnish

Doncaster Refurnish complete a wide range of work, collecting, restoring and selling furniture on to low income families. They run a handyman service and a women’s group with a focus on anxiety issues. They also offer training and employment to those on the margins of their local community; including rehabilitation and integration opportunities for prisoners due for release, and placements for young offenders.

Duration
2 years
Cost of capital
6.5%
Turnover
£1.61 million
Amount invested
£10K
Product type
Unsecured loan (incl. overdrafts)
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Furnistore

Furniture is a furniture re-use charity that supports lower income families. It used social investment to purchase a permanent base.

Duration
20 years
Cost of capital
6%
Turnover
£158,948
Amount invested
£160,000
Product type
Secured loan