At the core of our work, we activate and steward land and buildings in our neighbourhoods. We do this with our communities, for the long term. Our work is deeply hopeful and determined – together we're demonstrating the inevitable future.​
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At the first Network gathering in Hawkwood, we set out a draft manifesto, starting with the values, motivations and behaviours that we already live and breathe in our places.​
Our manifesto and missions!
This means letting go of the old world too, leaving behind its damaging patterns that hold us back, like: systems of oppression (white supremacy, sexism, and ableism…); short-term thinking driven by political and funding cycles, and competitive mindsets that prioritize scarcity over abundance.
Now let’s get specific… What is this Mycelial Network in practice and how do we create and nurture it?
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We organise ourselves around ‘missions’, which help us to design and build the world we want to see. These are revised each year. Read more about the current missions below.
Mission #1: Long-term core grant funding
Problem: There is a serious gap in long-term revenue funding for this kind of work, with many grant funders preferring short-term ‘project’ funding. This means many CADs are constantly fundraising and fighting for survival. One CAD has taken on 100+ separate grants and loans to do this long-term work.
Solution: The Neighbourhood Transformation Fund & Collective:
What: Perpetual pooled revenue grant fund for England-based Community Asset Developers*
Quantum: £100m initial raise (£25m first close)
Governance: To be governed by a dedicated steering group of Network members, & managed by a funder-partner organisation
Relationship: Funders join the Collective, meeting quarterly & becoming long-term learning partners with the Network
Organising principles: Trust-based, highly relational, flexible, long-term, responsive to need, shifting power, peer-led, built-in support
Who is in the Collective? So far, the Collective includes 30 CADs from 30 towns and cities, as well as a growing group of philanthropic funders
Join us! Are you a philanthropic funder looking to contribute to systems change in neighbourhoods, build long-term community wealth, and deploy funds in more fit-for-purpose, equitable ways? Drop us a line.
Mission #2: Long-term patient capital for assets
Problem: CADs across the country are already regenerating and transforming neighbourhoods through multi-asset ownership. But many need to refinance within the next 2-3 years, and collectively they have a significant development pipeline but there are huge challenges in accessing affordable long-term finance.
Solution: A dedicated programme convening pension funds, mortgage lenders and social investors to unlock affordable long-term (20 years+) lending to and investment into CADs – to deliver neighbourhood-scale transformation at scale and pace.
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Join us! Are you a philanthropic funder or investor with a mandate to create lasting long-term impact in places? Drop us a line.
Mission #3: Develop a resilient, resourced peer network
We’re growing and strengthening the relationships and trust between us, by doing things like:
Setting up resourced peer mentor programmes
Offering a small budget to enable peer learning, such as through inspiring visits to each other
Investing in an annual residential gathering and a calendar of regular events
Mission #4: Create collective storytelling
We’re inspiring the next generation of Community Asset Developers, and influencing wealth- and power-holders, by:
Telling the stories of our organisations
Amplifying one another’s stories in support
Telling the stories of public buildings before it’s too late
Planning campaigns to influence eg. local authorities to take a more proactive approach to partnering with CADs – we should be the ‘first resort’ to take over their assets, not the last!