West Berkshire Community Municipal Investment (CMI)
![Community Municipal Investments (CMI) banner](https://westberks.gov.uk/image/48726/Community-Municipal-Investments-CMI-banner/gi-responsive__100.jpg?m=1588000510083)
As the first council in the UK to launch a climate change bond, we're excited to sign a pledge with Green Finance Institute to run a second one to help fund brilliant environmental projects and tackle climate change.
In summer 2020, we launched the UK's first Community Municipal Investment (CMI) offering our residents and community groups a unique way to invest in West Berkshire, funding green projects to help the district become carbon neutral by 2030. In October 2020, we achieved our goal of raising £1 million.
Overall, 640 investors contributed nationwide, with 23% of total investment coming from West Berkshire residents. In April 2021, 1 in 6 investors donated their returns back to us to be further invested into our Wildflower Verge project.
Where has your money gone?
![2020 Group pic of Community Municipal Investment launch at Greenham Common](https://westberks.gov.uk/image/49061/2020-Group-pic-of-Community-Municipal-Investment-launch-at-Greenham-Common/gi-responsive__100.jpg?m=1646048859030)
- Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust Capital Improvements
- Urban Tree Planting
- New footpaths and rural access schemes
- Active travel infrastructure improvements
- Tree planting and habitat creation as part of flood alleviation projects
- Energy efficiency upgrades for traffic signals and street lighting
Investing directly with us provides us with a cheaper alternative to conventional sources of funds and reduces the overall cost of borrowing to taxpayers.
How does it work?
A CMI is a bond or loan mechanism issued by a council directly to the public. It is being provided in partnership with the online crowdfunding platform Abundance Investment, which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
CMIs can be used to supplement, diversify or replace sources of borrowing to fund-specific infrastructure projects, or to refinance existing debt.
To find out more about the CMI visit the West Berkshire page on the Abundance website.
Risk warning
As with any investment product there are risks. Part or all of your original invested capital may be at risk. You should be prepared to hold investments for their full term and investments may not be readily realisable. Consider all risks before investing and read the Offer Document for each investment.
Any financial promotion contained herein has been approved by Abundance Investment; a firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.