Transition Belper is proud to announce that it has officially become a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Transition Belper, which is focused on promoting sustainable living and reducing the community’s carbon footprint, has always been driven by the belief that small actions can make a big difference.

As a CIC, the organisation will be able to continue its work with an even greater sense of purpose and social responsibility.

Founded in 2009, Transition Belper is an inclusive non-political group, with a shared desire for action for the benefit of the local community and wider environmental issues.  The group has been responsible for several successful local initiatives, including the Belper Goes Green festival and the Repair Café.

For the last two years, in consultation with members of Transition Belper, the board carefully examined several options in which to take the group before reaching the decision that becoming a CIC would best suit everyone’s needs.

As a CIC, Transition Belper will be able to access a range of new funding opportunities, while also being able to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability.  It also allows the group to keep focused on its objectives of community goals, and public benefit rather than financial gain.

A CIC is a type of company that is specifically designed for organisations that exist for the benefit of the community.  It is a legal structure that allows for the company to be run in the best interests of the community, rather than for the financial gain of its shareholders.

Co-Chair of Transition Belper Kendal Greaves said: “We’re thrilled to have achieved this milestone.  Becoming a CIC is a natural step for us, as it will enable us to continue our work in promoting sustainable living, supporting wellbeing initiatives and protecting the environment, while also ensuring that we are accountable to the community we serve.

“As a CIC, we can now take our mission of building a sustainable and resilient community to the next level.  The structure gives us the right tools to create and bring real and long-lasting change and we are looking forward to sharing plenty of new environmentally-friendly initiatives over the next year.”

Edward Sills, Co-Chair of Transition Belper, said “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the previous co-chairs of our board Tony Webster and Cherry Anderson for their hard work and dedication in helping establish our organisation as a (CIC).  Their leadership and guidance were instrumental in making this transition a success and we are grateful for the time and effort they put into this endeavour.”

Transition Belper invites the community to support it in its continued efforts to make Belper a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly place to live.

The management board also acknowledges all the work leading to the decision to become a CIC,  particularly that facilitated by Tony Cooper as a previous director of Transition Belper.

By Kendal Greaves on behalf of the Transition Belper Management Board