Useful links

AccountAbility

AccountAbility is an international, not-for-profit, professional institute dedicated to the promotion of social, ethical and overall organisational accountability.

Action for Market Towns

Small towns are important. They are critical employment and service centres for the countryside, and they serve up to a quarter of the nation's population.

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)

ACRE is a national charity whose purpose is to support sustainable rural community development.

Advantage West Midlands

Regional development agency.

Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL)

The main trade association for credit unions in England, Scotland and Wales.

Association of Town Centre Management

Organisation to help town and city centres realise their roles as focal points for business and for vibrant, inclusive communities.

Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre (BURC)

Promotes the interests and the benefits of the unemployed and other social and economically disadvantaged groups.

Big Lottery Fund

The largest distributor of National Lottery funds.

British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)

Represents the views and priorities of businesses. Undertakes research and responds to government consultation.

British Urban Regeneration Association

BURA was formed in 1990 to provide the regeneration sector with a forum for the exchange of ideas, experience and information.

Business Link

Provides information, advice and support for people looking to start, maintain and grow a business.

Business in the Community (BITC)

A group of 700 member companies aiming to improve their impact on society.

CDX

A UK-wide membership organisation for community development.  CDX works to ensure that community development is recognised and supported as a powerful way of tackling inequality and achieving social justice.

Caledonia Centre For Social Development

International network for information, research, technical services and training in poverty relief.

Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion

An independent organisation dedicated to promoting social justice, social inclusion and tackling disadvantage.

Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)

An independent think-tank and network of subscribing organisations involved in regeneration activities and local governance.

Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR)

Research centre based at Sheffield Hallam University dealing with areas of social, urban, and housing policy.

Centre for Research into Socially Inclusive Services

The centre promotes the concept and practice of social inclusion in the provision and use of local public and private services in deprived areas.

Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME)

The Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME), Warwick Business School,  is one of the leading centres for the research, teaching and training of SMEs in the UK.

Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS)

Multidisciplinary research centre based at the University of Newcastle, dealing with the economic and social development of cities and regions.

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

Charity campaigning for the abolition of poverty among children and young people in the UK and for the improvement of the lives of low-income families.

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

An independent grant-making body registered with the Charity Commissioners and dedicated to the regeneration of coalfield communities.

Community Action Network

Community Action Network is the UK's leading organisation for the development and promotion of social entrepreneurs.

Community Business Scotland

Promotes and encourages community owned and controlled enterprises, enabling local communities to become more self reliant and sustainable.

Community Enterprise Ltd

Consultancy for social enterprises.

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Lobbying organisation for UK business on national and international issues.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Department for Employment & Learning, Northern Ireland

Devolved department for skills, jobs, further education and higher education.

Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland

Maintains a range of essential infrastructure services and shapes the region's long-term strategic development.

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department concerned with farmers, the countryside, the rural economy and air and water quality.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland department whose aims include the development of the agricultural, forestry and fishing industries.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

A department of the Northern Ireland executive.

Department of Trade and Industry

Promotes enterprise, business growth, export and inward investment.

Development Trusts Association

The national representative body for development trusts.

Directory for Social Entrepreneurial Organisations

A databank for, by and about social entrepreneurs in England.

East Midlands Development Agency

Regional development agency.

East of England Development Agency

Regional development agency.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns.

England's Northwest

Promotional site inviting tourists and investors to the region.

Euro Info Centre for Scottish Enterprise

European issues and opportunities affecting Scottish startups. Operates as part of the Business Gateway.

European Foundation for Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Set up to contribute to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions, through research and advice.

Forth Sector

Creates supportive employment for people with mental health problems through running businesses.

Groundswell UK

A national charity that supports a network of people and projects committed to inclusive approaches to tackling homelessness, poverty and exclusion.

Human City Institute

Think tank investigating social and economic exclusion.

Industrial Research and Technology Unit

Working from offices in Lisburn, IRTU offers industry and academia a wide range of financial and other support for science and technology in Northern Ireland.

InfoRurale

InfoRurale consolidates information on rural development from around the world.

Institute for Employment Studies

Embraces all aspects of employment policy and practice, undertaking research and consultancy for a wide range of UK and international organisations.

Institution of Economic Development

Organisation for economic development practitioners.

Invest Northern Ireland

Aims to change Northern Ireland into a high growth economy driven by innovation and enterprise.

Local Investment Fund

Set up in 1995 by the government and the private sector, led by NatWest, with the aim of overcoming the funding gap often experienced by social enterprises.