The National Community Boats Association or NCBA is a registered charity that aims to support community boating organisations. The NCBA vision is a network of well resourced, well managed community boating organisations that promote access to UK waterways as well as promoting the safe use of community boats as a resource available for the benefit of disadvantaged and excluded groups in ways that promote social cohesion, protect the environment and support economic regeneration.

Community boating organisations provide access to services on the UK’s waterways for the benefit of their local community. They often work with youth and other community based groups in addition to individuals and may provide specific services for disabled, disadvantaged, older or otherwise excluded people in our society such as those on low incomes or from minority groups.

The aim of these organisations is much more than just access to a leisure facility. It could be social inclusion, education, rehabilitation of both health and offending and issues of wider community cohesion. They are usually charitable in nature and usually registered charities. They are predominantly voluntary organisations themselves relying on donations, fund-raising and sponsorship from within their operating area.