Introduction
At a time when public sector finances are under ever-increasing pressure, crowdfunding has the potential to offer a new model of finance via an investment-based business model that generates social, environmental and economic returns.
A cross sector team lead by the University of Leeds, and in partnership with Abundance Investments and Local Partnerships, researched the viability of crowdfunding as an alternative source for funding public sector infrastructure.
A report was published in April 2019, concluding that the public sector is yet to make the most of the opportunities offered by crowdfunding, and is yet to realise the financial and non-financial benefits it has been shown to generate.
Conclusion
Do you know where your money is?
If you immediately think of cash, then theres a good chance you’ve just pictured a purse or imagined a bank vault in order to reassure yourself. But if you thought of your savings and investments, then theres a good chance you don’t know exactly where your money is.
Do you know what your money is doing?
And this suggests a far more fundamental question. Do you know what your money is doing? I lead a programme of research at the University of Leeds that starts from the principle that how and where we decide to spend, borrow, save, and invest makes a material difference to the type of social world that we are creating for ourselves and for future generations. What we do with our money really matters. If we want a radically different world to the one we now see around us if we want that world to be fairer, more equitable, and more sustainable then we are going to have to do radically different things with our money. We are going to have to allocate capital to those enterprises and organisations that can unambiguously demonstrate the positive social and environmental outcomes they are delivering.
Funding Pressure
At a time when public sector finances are under increasing pressure, crowdfunding still mistakenly seen as being just another form of charitable giving has the potential to offer this radical alternative via an investment-based business model that generates social, environmental and economic returns. But does it work? For whom? And in which contexts?
Crowdfunding Report
In the report, we provide a landmark assessment of the suitability of crowdfunding as a new model of finance that could offer better value to the public sector. Through our research with six case studies three UK local authorities and three NHS bodies the report: helps to overcome existing knowledge barriers with respect to crowdfunding; provides a decision-making tool to demystify the process of utilising crowdfunding as a public body; shows how crowdfunding can be utilised to create new forms of civic engagement with local residents and service users; presents a new Community Municipal Bond structure co-created as an output of the project; and, offers a series of recommendations for what should happen next for public sector crowdfunding. The report concludes that the public sector is yet to make the most of crowdfunding and to realise the financial and non-financial benefits it has been shown to generate.
Share this
Explore related materials
Discover guides, toolkits and case studies that build on this topic
The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Matrix is a practical tool designed to help local authorities understand, assess and respond to the potential impacts of climate change and extreme weather on waste services and supporting infrastructure.
The matrix considers a range of climate-related hazards, including heatwaves, flooding and extreme cold, and their potential implications for collection services, household waste and recycling centres, transfer stations, operational depots and key supply chain facilities. It provides a high-level checklist of both short- and longer-term adaptation and mitigation measures that authorities can consider to strengthen the resilience and continuity of their services.
Drawing on research, case studies and stakeholder engagement, the matrix brings together practical actions and considerations in one place. It is not intended to prescribe a single approach; rather, it provides a flexible framework that local authorities can adapt to reflect their own climate risks, infrastructure, service models, geography and local circumstances.
The toolkit also highlights opportunities to embed climate resilience into existing organisational processes and decision-making, rather than treating adaptation as a standalone activity. This includes considering resilience measures through procurement and contract management, budget and capital planning, policy and strategy reviews, asset management, service transformation programmes and wider operational planning.
By using the matrix as a prompt for discussion, review and forward planning, local authorities can identify vulnerabilities, prioritise appropriate interventions and progressively build greater resilience into waste services, infrastructure and supply chains.
How can councils help shape the energy infrastructure needed to support housing, regeneration and local growth?
Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESP), led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), introduce a new regional layer of energy planning across England, Scotland and Wales. They will help shape where and when energy infrastructure investment takes place, with significant implications for local growth and decarbonisation ambitions.
With NESO inviting participation in RESP Strategic Boards and Working Groups, this guide helps local and combined authorities consider what they need to put in place to take an effective role in regional energy planning.
Drawing on interviews with local authorities, it sets out practical approaches to:
- establishing clear governance, responsibilities and decision-making
- coordinating priorities and representation across a region
- using local evidence to influence infrastructure planning
- building capacity and sharing expertise
- aligning energy investment with local growth and decarbonisation priorities.
An accompanying executive summary provides a concise overview for senior leaders and elected members, explaining why RESP matters, the risks of limited engagement and the organisational arrangements needed to respond effectively.
The guide was funded by West Midlands Combined Authority and draws on learning from the Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment (PRIDE) project.
UPDATED – 21 September 2026 – Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has been developed by Local Partnerships in collaboration with the Local Government Association (LGA) to provide councils with a straightforward and consistent approach for calculating their carbon baseline and annual emissions reporting.
For assistance and feedback, please email ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk
Contact Local Partnerships
Talk to Us
