Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensures that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes.

Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role. CIC’s operate like Social enterprises or charities and can apply for grants and funding on behalf of the community that it serves.