History and Profile

Community Media Solutions Ltd commenced operations in October 2004. The company was established as a social enterprise to complement the role of the Community Media Association, the sector body for community media in the UK. It was born out of recognition of the need for research, business development and technical support for the growing community media sector.

CM Solutions has worked with over 75 community media organisations on a wide range of projects throughout the UK. Our clients have included local authorities, regeneration agencies and community organisations, as well as community-based radio, television and new media. CM Solutions also provides licence assessment and other support to Ofcom's community radio unit.

Alongside its consultancy work CM Solutions, in partnership with the CMA, has delivered a major programme of business and technical support for community media in South Yorkshire. 'Turn Up The Volume' (2004-2007) was supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and The Humber, and the European Union (ERDF).

CM Solutions is engaged in innovative technical research and development for community media including a Melt Award in 2007 for work on a prototype for mobile audio blogging enabling community radio stations to capture listener generated audio content.

CM Solutions also supports community media internationally. In 2008 CM Solutions was awarded a two year grant by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for work in Nigeria. The project 'Building Media Pluralism in Nigeria' operates in partnership with the Lagos-based, Institute for Media and Society, which hosts the Nigeria Community Radio Coalition.