The microboom in the CIC community passed another important milestone this week when Mardis Gras Arts Workshop CIC became the 500^th member to join the CIC Association, which incorporated 3 months ago as a representative body for CICs in the UK.

It’s mission, ‘to plant a flag in the ground around which the CIC community can build the infrastructure needed’, is now well underway and they’re confident that 2010 will see CICs break through the 5000 company barrier.

CIC protagonist John Mulkerrin said: ”We have had a phenomenal growth spurt in a relatively short time, and it shows no sign of easing off. CICs and partner groups up and down the country are starting to connect through the network, its early days but green shoots are popping up everywhere’.

500^th member Maria Katherina Joseph, of Mardi Gras Arts Workshop CIC, converted to a CIC after receiving advice on how to grow sustainably from her business mentor. ‘Im hoping to find out more about tendering for local authority contracts, Im new to this so joining together with others is a great way to learn and share’.

On average one hundred and twenty-five organisations a month are now incorporating as CICs, making it the fastest growing part of social enterprise.

For more information or to Join the CIC Association visit: http://www.cicassociation.org.uk/

CIC Association
CIC are pleased to announce the launch of their new website
www.cicassociation.org.uk
,which will provide a platform for CIC practitioners throughout the
country to connect with each other and help nurture the fledgling
legislation.

The
impetus for the
Association has come from CIC practitioners wanting a way to directly
engage in the agenda, and it aims to tackle a wide range of issues,
from general awareness and improved communication thru to technical
matters such as improving capital inflows into the sector.

With
over 3200 incorporated, CICs are the fastest growing element within
social enterprise, already operating across the spectrum of sectors,
at local, regional and national level. Tom Barnett, co-founder of the
Association and MD of Ethical Junction CIC said ‘This is a
fantastic development for the CIC community and social enterprise at
large, the legislation was developed to help bring social enterprise
into the mainstream and we hope this website will become a focal
point for achieving that. Promoting the legislation to a wider
audience, and developing resources for CIC practitioners are our key
priorities, and I’m very excited about the positive response we
have received so far’

www.cicassociation.org.uk

Enquiries

CIC
Association CIC www.cicassociation.org.uk

Contact
John Mulkerrin on 0203 262 3044 or john@cicassociation.org.uk

Notes
to Editors

CIC
legislation came into force in July 2005

CICs
are unique as they can trade in exactly the same way as normal Ltd
companies, but have an Asset Lock which ensures the community
receives the majority of profit.