Eden Project Communities
Eden Project Communities is a UK-registered charity and initiative of The Eden Project that runs The Big Lunch and related programmes to build connected neighbourhoods, reduce loneliness, and empower grassroots community organizers across the United Kingdom.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCornwall, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Eden Project Communities does
Eden Project Communities is a UK-registered charity (charity number 1093070) and initiative of The Eden Project, an educational charity headquartered in Cornwall. Founded in 2009, the organization operates a community-building platform anchored by The Big Lunch, an annual nationwide event that drew 15 million participants in 2024 and 17.2 million during the 2022 Big Jubilee Lunch. The platform connects community organizers through a network of resources, tools, and events, supported by flagship programmes including the Community Action Programme (Community Camp), Month of Community, The Big Help Out, the Network, and the Ideas & Resources hub. Technical infrastructure consists of a self-serve website (edenprojectcommunities.com), an interactive event map, a Community Grants and Funding Finder, and downloadable Free Starter Packs, with event registration handled through Ticket Tailor and virtual events run on Zoom.
The organization is funded primarily through grants from the National Lottery Community Fund (2010–2024 as the principal funder) and corporate partnerships, most notably with Iceland and The Food Warehouse. All programmes, events, and resources are provided free of charge to participants, making the model purely philanthropic rather than commercial. Customer segments are horizontal: individual UK households, community groups, schools, local councils (e.g., Carlisle Council), and corporate CSR partners. The organization reports research collaborations with Cebr, IVAR, The Belong Network, and Public First, which have produced impact evidence including the £32 billion annual cost of disconnected communities and studies on loneliness and neighbourliness.
Operationally, Eden Project Communities runs with a small core team of approximately 7 employees and relies on grassroots volunteer organizers and regional partners to deliver events at scale. It holds active Royal Patronage from HM The King and HM The Queen, who visited the Eden Project in March 2026 to mark its 25th anniversary and launch UK-wide celebrations. The organization does not have AI/ML capabilities, holds no patents, and has no M&A history; its competitive position rests on brand recognition, event-driven network effects, and the reputational halo of the parent Eden Project.
Eden Project Communities firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Eden Project Communities
- Legal name
- Eden Project Limited
- Website
- https://edenprojectcommunities.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Eden Project Communities is a UK-registered charity and initiative of The Eden Project that runs The Big Lunch and related programmes to build connected neighbourhoods, reduce loneliness, and empower grassroots community organizers across the United Kingdom.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Eden Project Communities industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Services
- NAICS
- Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
Keywords
Where Eden Project Communities is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cornwall
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Eden Project Communities business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Charitable Funding: Primary funding from National Lottery Community Fund supporting community programmes and initiatives.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies like Iceland and The Food Warehouse to support The Big Lunch initiative and community activities.
- Donations and Sponsorship: CSR enquiries and sponsorship opportunities for organizations looking to support community initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free community resources and support |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Eden Project Communities product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Eden Project Communities is a UK registered charity that runs flagship community-building programmes — most notably The Big Lunch annual neighbourhood celebration — along with the Community Action Programme, Month of Community, The Big Help Out, The Network, and the Festival of Discovery. It provides free resources, event planning tools, an interactive event map, and a community grants finder to empower individuals and groups to organise local events that reduce loneliness and strengthen neighbourhood connections across the United Kingdom.
Product overview
Eden Project Communities is a community-focused social enterprise and registered charity (number 1093070) operating as part of the Eden Project family. The organisation operates as a unified platform with The Big Lunch as its flagship programme, supplemented by the Community Action Programme (Community Camp), Month of Community, The Big Help Out, and The Network. Additional offerings include the Festival of Discovery, Community Stories, an Ideas & Resources hub, Community Grants finder, Event Map, and Free Starter Packs. These products work together to fulfill the mission of building happier, healthier communities by bringing people together to make positive changes where they live.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Big Lunch Annual UK-wide community celebration initiative where neighbours come together for lunch to build connections, reduce loneliness, and strengthen local communities. The flagship programme of Eden Project Communities.
- Community Action Programme (Community Camp) Immersive learning experience combining practical activities, workshop sessions, and networking opportunities for community-minded individuals across the UK who want to make a difference. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
- Month of Community Annual celebration month (typically June) dedicated to celebrating what makes communities great, encouraging people to come together and participate in local activities and events.
- The Big Help Out Volunteer initiative that teams up with The Big Lunch to encourage community volunteering and neighbourly support, particularly during national celebrations.
- The Network UK-wide community network connecting like-minded individuals to share ideas, inspiration, and support for community-building initiatives.
- Festival of Discovery Virtual festival launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people stay connected during lockdown, featuring online activities and community engagement.
Quantifiable outcome
- 17.2 million people took part in The Big Jubilee Lunch 2022
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Eden Project Communities
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Eden Project Communities technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Eden Project Communities partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Public FirstmajorResearch partner commissioned for 2026 report on community and volunteering, revealing insights on national optimism and local pride.
- The Belong NetworkmajorCommissioned to evaluate the impact of The Big Lunch and communities programme between 2010 and 2024, producing the Belong Report on 15 years of impact.
- Iceland and The Food WarehousecoreCorporate partnership announced in 2021 to support The Big Lunch initiative. Partners with The National Lottery as part of the Big Lunch partnered programme.
- Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR)majorCommissioned to study the legacy and impact of The Big Lunch, producing research on how community connections can tackle challenges.
- Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr)majorConducted research on the economic impact of community-led initiatives, revealing the £32 billion annual cost of disconnected communities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Eden Project Communities competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Royal Voluntary Service: Long-established UK charity mobilising volunteers to tackle loneliness and support communities. Comparable on tackling social isolation, scaling volunteer engagement, and benefiting from Royal/royal-adjacent credibility.
- Locality: UK-wide membership organisation supporting community-led organisations, social enterprises, and community centres. Directly comparable as a national infrastructure body empowering neighbourhood-level community action and cohesion across the UK.
- NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): Membership umbrella for the UK voluntary sector providing research, advocacy, and infrastructure support. Comparable as a national body supporting community organisations with a research-driven, policy-engaged approach.
Direct peers
- Caritas Social Action Network: UK network of charities tackling poverty, isolation, and disadvantage through community-rooted social action. Comparable on neighbourhood-level community engagement programmes targeting loneliness and excluded populations.
- Power to Change: UK charitable trust investing in community businesses and locally rooted enterprises. Highly comparable mission of building stronger, more resilient communities through grassroots-led activity and a similar funder/grantor model.
- Groundwork UK: Federation of charities supporting community-led environmental and regeneration projects across the UK. Overlaps directly on Eden Project Communities' environmental/community engagement mandate and council partnership model.
- The Conservation Volunteers: UK charity engaging communities in practical environmental action to improve wellbeing and connection to nature. Overlaps directly with Eden Project Communities' environmental-community crossover programming.
- UK Community Foundations: Network of accredited community foundations supporting local philanthropy across the UK. Comparable as a community-funding and grantmaking intermediary operating at neighbourhood scale through a national umbrella structure.
Emerging players
- The Young Foundation: UK social-research and innovation charity developing community-led responses to social issues. Comparable on combining rigorous social research with practical community programmes targeting connection and wellbeing outcomes.
Others
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation: UK research and policy charity focused on poverty, place, and community connection. Comparable as a research-driven, UK-wide funder/stakeholder shaping the community cohesion agenda Eden Project Communities delivers against.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Eden Project Communities social profiles
Digital presenceEden Project Communities financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Eden Project Communities leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Eden Project Communities funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Eden Project Communities M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Eden Project Communities
What does Eden Project Communities do?
Eden Project Communities is a UK registered charity that runs flagship community-building programmes — most notably The Big Lunch annual neighbourhood celebration — along with the Community Action Programme, Month of Community, The Big Help Out, The Network, and the Festival of Discovery. It provides free resources, event planning tools, an interactive event map, and a community grants finder to empower individuals and groups to organise local events that reduce loneliness and strengthen neighbourhood connections across the United Kingdom.
Is Eden Project Communities a public or private company?
Eden Project Communities is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Eden Project Communities founded?
Eden Project Communities was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Eden Project Communities based?
Eden Project Communities is headquartered in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Eden Project Communities make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Charitable Funding is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and donations and Sponsorship.
Who are Eden Project Communities's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Royal Voluntary Service, Locality and NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations). Direct peers are Caritas Social Action Network, Power to Change, Groundwork UK, The Conservation Volunteers and UK Community Foundations. The Young Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Joseph Rowntree Foundation is listed as an others.
Does Eden Project Communities have an API?
No public API is recorded for Eden Project Communities.
What industry is Eden Project Communities in?
Eden Project Communities's product category is Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services, with a secondary code of MPAGAEAK, Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded). Its NAICS code is 6242 and its SIC code is 8300.