Somerset Social Investment Programme

The Somerset Social Investment Programme (SSIP) offers blended finance, combining loans and grants to help social enterprises and charities grow their income from selling goods or services. This funding is made available through support from Somerset Council, and the repayable nature of the loans allows funds to be recycled into new investments. The blended finance model typically provides two-thirds loan and one-third grant, though the final split is determined case-by-case. Organizations can receive between £10,000 and £40,000 to purchase equipment or property, have working capital for growth, or bridge short-term financial shortfalls. The loan component is unsecured, meaning organizations do not risk losing assets, and the programme is designed to invest in earlier stages of business models where other lenders might not. The grant element must be used for the investment idea and cannot fund general running costs.