Rosie Neaman, Programme Officer, introduces our pilot Market Development Consultation process for funding proposals we receive that aim to benefit the wider social investment sector.
As part of our Dormant Asset Funding for 2025–2029, we’re launching a consultation process for market development proposals that aim to benefit the wider social investment sector.
This is a new approach for Access. It reflects our intention to test more open and inclusive ways of understanding sector demand and support for funding designed to benefit the market as a whole. Your feedback can help us to understand which proposals have real value, real support and real potential to shift the market.
In our Investment Policy, we set out an ambition to explore more participatory approaches to decision‑making for Area Three: Social Investment Infrastructure and Ecosystem Development (this is what we refer to as market development).
Demand for funding in this area is already high. Where projects are intended to benefit multiple organisations or the wider social investment market, we think it’s important to understand whether those benefits are valued, needed and supported across the sector.
We initially explored whether the Social Investment Forum (SIF) might play a role in this. However, through the Dormant Assets Allocation consultation in 2025, respondents raised concerns about approaches that rely on approval or endorsement by a single body. In particular, some felt this could reinforce existing networks and make it harder for newer or under‑represented voices to be heard.
In response, we committed to exploring “the most appropriate mechanisms to support inclusive and meaningful market participation in decision‑making in this Area” (Investment Policy, p.17).
Rather than asking applicants to gather endorsements themselves, we’ve designed a short, structured sector consultation that fits into our existing application process.
The process will not apply to all market development proposals, only those aiming to provide benefits to multiple organisations across the sector or the ecosystem as a whole. For proposals selected to go through consultation, we’ll invite organisations from across the social investment market to share their views through an online feedback form. The aim is to understand sector support, demand and perceived value.
Feedback will be advisory but it will be taken carefully in account. It will help our Investment Committee better understand how projects are likely to land with those they are intended to benefit.
We want to hear from a wide range of organisations with a stake in the kinds of projects being proposed. This could include, for example:
To keep things fair and consistent, we’ll ask for no more than one response per organisation.
Applicants will continue to submit an initial application in the usual way. If the Committee feels the proposal has potential at this stage and is considered appropriate for consultation, the applicant will be invited to take part before progressing to the final application stage.
With the applicant’s agreement, we’ll publish a summary of the proposal on our Market Consultation page. Sector organisations will then be invited to complete a short, structured online feedback form.
The consultation will be open for around four weeks. Once it closes, we’ll compile the feedback to help inform the Investment Committee’s final decision.
In some cases, where feedback is mixed or unclear, we may seek additional input from relevant organisations. Respondents will be informed of Committee decisions and proposals approved for funding will be shared on our Programmes and Funds page.
Area Three of the Investment Policy is focused on projects intended to boost the collective strength of the social investment market. This can include activity such as:
We have allocated around £5 million for this area. After ringfenced activities we expect to have £3.2 million available, of which around £1 million is expected to support additional EDI initiatives.
This consultation process is a pilot. It’s something we haven’t done before, and we’re treating it as a test‑and‑learn approach during the first year of this Dormant Assets funding.
The pilot will run until the end of September 2026. At the end of that period, we’ll reflect on the process and decide whether, and how, to continue or develop it further.
We see this as a practical step towards better understanding sector need and support for activity intended to benefit the wider market, while avoiding approaches that rely heavily on existing networks or informal endorsement.
We’ll publish details of individual consultations on our website as relevant proposals come forward.
If you’re interested in applying for Area Three funding, we encourage you to read our Investment Policy and Application Stages Guidance, and to get in touch with us to discuss whether your proposal might be suitable.
And if you’re part of the social investment sector and would like to be notified of future consultations, please provide your email – you’ll be alerted when new proposals are uploaded.
