DTA and bassac propose merger

Two leading social enterprise-support organisations, the Development Trusts Association and bassac, are planning to merge.

The networks announced today that they are consulting their members over the proposed merger and plan to announce more at a meeting on 10 November.

Both organisations work in the areas of community enterprise support, collaboration, community asset ownership and community development, and they share some members, including Action Acton and Cambridge House in London, Birmingham Settlement in the West Midlands and North Doncaster Development Trust in Yorkshire.

They have already worked closely together on joint policy activities, delivered programmes such as Communitybuilders and the Safer Homes Fund, and were both founding members of the Community Alliance, alongside Community Matters.

Together, they would focus on community asset development, community enterprise support, contracts and procurement, and community-led action on environmental sustainability and renewable energy.

The newly formed organisation would ‘bring together their expertise in community enterprise and social justice’, a join statement said today.

The DTA’s director, Steve Wyler, said a merger was not a necessity, but would mean a stronger organisation with more of an influence.

‘Both organisations are in good shape – neither of us needs to do this, but we believe a merger could create something even stronger; a new organisation building on our combined track records to create a powerful force, not only to support community organisations nationwide but also to shape national and local policy,’ he said.

‘Our influence would be greater and with it our ability to champion economic resilience and social justice for communities. This is a very exciting development.’

Ben Hughes, CEO of bassac, added: ‘We both see the huge potential of a new organisation that combines our skills and areas of expertise. Both bassac and DTA share a belief in the power of local action and participation and have common values.’