communitywill

CommunityWill is a UK‑based community investment platform launched in 2017 by James Pike and Emily Harris. Its mission is to unlock financial support for local community projects, with a particular focus on renewable energy, affordable housing, and social enterprises, by allowing residents and small investors to fund initiatives directly through an online portal.

The platform offers two participation models: a fixed return option of around 1.5 % per annum or an equity‑style share of the project’s profits. To date, CommunityWill has raised over £5 million and invested in more than 30 projects across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Investors receive regular progress reports and impact metrics, which aim to maintain transparency and build trust in community-driven development.

Governance is overseen by a board of experienced trustees and complemented by a volunteer advisory panel that includes local business leaders and community activists. CommunityWill partners with local councils, charities, and small‑to‑mid‑size enterprises to identify and vet projects that meet rigorous social and environmental criteria. The platform’s future plans include expanding into digital infrastructure projects and adopting tokenisation via blockchain technology to broaden access for a wider investor base.

CommunityWill has received praise from local media for its role in strengthening community resilience and was awarded the 2022 Community Impact Award for its innovative model of collective investment.