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Co‑operatives UK is the voice for the UK’s thousands of independent co‑ops.
We're all about helping co-operatives – from established businesses to new-starts – be the best they can be.
Featured content
Co-operatives urged to back DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
Millions of people across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region are in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. Co-operatives are now being urged to support the latest DEC appeal.
Practitioners Forum 2024
Content by Practitioners Forum
Don't miss our number one training and development event which takes place on Wednesday 20 November at The Studio in Manchester.
Content by Practitioners Forum
Record-breaking Co-operative and Mutual Economy numbers set baseline for Labour 'doubling the size' pledge
The Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2024 reveals record-breaking figures, with thousands of businesses contributing billions to the UK economy and employing more than 1.3 million people.
What is a co-operative
Many of us have heard of co-ops, but do you actually know what one is?
Support for your co‑op
We provide expert support in governance, HR, finance, marketing, membership strategy and co-operative development. Browse our extensive library of online resources, blogs and information and get in touch for bespoke support and training.
United Nations declares 2025 the International Year of Co-operatives
Following on from the new UK government's pledge to double the size of the co-operative sector, the United Nations is holding a soft-launch event at its New York headquarters to declare 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives.
Annual reports
Read and download Co-operatives UK's latest annual report and financial statements.
Latest news
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Co-operatives UK member comes out tops in Social Enterprise Awards Scotland
Media Co-op lands the inaugural IDBM Award at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards held at Scottish Parliament on 7 November (2024).
20 hours 26 min
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Budget 2024: Co-operative growth opportunities and reaction
In a Budget focused on long-term investment and value for money, co-operatives offer a way to mobilise private wealth and social capital, to deliver tangible change in communities across the…
1 week 1 day
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Five-star performance from Co-operatives UK members at Social Enterprise Scotland Awards
The shortlist for the IDBM Impact gong at the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland is announced and dominated by Co-operatives UK members.
3 weeks
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Co-operatives urged to back DEC’s Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
Millions of people across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region are in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. Co-operatives are now being urged to support the latest DEC appeal.
3 weeks 1 day
Co-operatives are brilliant businesses
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- The UK’s 7,586 independent co-ops employ 249,142 people
- Co-ops contribute £40.9 billion to the UK economy
- There are nearly 13.4 million memberships of co-ops - the members own and have a say in how co-ops operate
- 83.3% of co-operative new-starts survive the first five years compared to just 38.% of other businesses
Programmes to support your co-op
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Apply for Business Support for Co-ops
Business Support for Co-ops
Access tailored business support and digital tools designed to help you start or grow your co-op
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Find out more about Community Shares
Community Shares
For community owned organisations looking to raise funds through community shares
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Find out more about platform co-ops
UnFound
For tech founders and start ups looking for a different way to run digital platforms
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Find out more about the Ownership Hub
The Ownership Hub
Developing a fairer and more resilient regional economy by supporting more worker and employee ownership