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Link to CCIN26 - Application Launch and Advice Clinic

Policy Project Funding for 2026/27 Budget year

EOC will allocate c.£60,000 to fund Policy Labs and £15,000 for Policy Prototypes in 2026/7.  The Network encourages as many of our Members to get involved as possible.

All funded projects must demonstrate the ‘cooperative difference’ and explicitly show this using our Statement of Values and Principles.

Policy Lab funding supports research, collaboration and implementation of cooperative initiatives that involve multiple Network members. This work is incredibly valuable for our members, allowing us to share best practices on a national footprint, collaborate with like-minded local authorities and partners, and work together to solve some of the complex problems facing local government and the communities we represent.

We recommend engaging a minimum of three other CCIN members to create a working group to support the development of your project. We welcome applications from all Members, at the present time, applications are submitted and overseen by a Full Member Council; however, the Governance Boards are happy to explore opportunities and applications that have relevance in the context of cooperation and local government.  Members will have up to two years to deliver a Policy Lab.  Applications will be considered for funding of up to £20,000, depending on their scale and ambition.

Policy Prototypes are smaller projects for members who want to deliver a project in their locality on behalf of the Network.  This funding is available to councils of all sizes, Opposition Groups and Minority Administrations. Members will have up to twelve months to deliver a Policy Prototype. Applications will be considered for funding of up to £2,000.

Timetable

Early December 2026.  –   Soft Launch to CCIN Officer Network
6 January 2027.  –   Full Launch to call for Applications
26th February 2027   –   Closing date for submission of all bids.

Early March 2027.  –   EOC & V&P Board consider all Bids, bidders present applications
Mid – Late March 2027 – Bidders respond to further questions from Governance
Week Commencing 29th March 2027.  –   Sign-off successful Bids by EOC

Week Commencing 5 April 2027.  –   Successful applicants notified, guidance issues and contract letters dispatched. 

10 May 2027.  –   Contracts awarded / Work Starts

Projects should be written up, and other resource materials made available to the CCIN and its members, including publication on the CCIN website.

Outcomes should include, but are not limited to:
To reiterate, all funded projects must demonstrate the ‘cooperative difference’ and explicitly show this using our Statement of Values and Principles and follow our Brand Guidelines

  • Written reports should be produced to ‘publication standard’ and include Joint or separate Forewords from the Leader/Cabinet Member of the Lead Council and the Chair of CCIN.
  • Videos to be accompanied by an Executive Summary (which can sit alongside other CCIN reports) spotlighting the highlighted values and principles and learning points.
  • A short text about the project for the CCIN newsletter with a photo.
  • Speech for a conference launch of the policy lab.
  • Content for a conference workshop unpacking the outcomes of the project.

We welcome applications from all Members, but an elected body must apply. 

For further information contact: