Future of co-operative development in Scotland: call for views

On 7 October 2025 Co-operatives UK facilitated a workshop bringing together co-operatives, sector bodies and development practitioners in Scotland, to discuss the future of co-operative development in Scotland. This conversation took place in the context of:

• Scottish Government’s Economic Democracy Group reviewing the support ecosystem for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprise, in response to recommendations in the Inclusive and Democratic Business Model Review
• A defunding of the Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) service within Scottish Enterprise in recent years, including a suspension of service altogether in early 2025

Guiding principles for the future of co-operative development in Scotland

The following guiding principles were formulated in the workshop on 7 October 2025:

1. Co-operative development should address major societal challenges, and align with other movements and agendas addressing these challenges in Scotland
2. Scottish co-operatives should own and control their own development infrastructure
3. Co-operative development should be funded through a blend of public money (national and local), matched by philanthropy, solidarity contributions and sector contributions, with a long term commitment between co-operatives to contribute to the development of their sector
4. There should be a national ‘hub’, controlled by the sector, serving circles that could be place-based (e.g. local/regional) or sector-specific (e.g. agriculture, housing)
5. Co-operative development should stimulate pipelines through education, awareness raising, outreach and shaping culture (‘pre-technical’ development) as well as providing business support, professional services and access to finance (‘technical’ development)
6. Co-operative development should empower and benefit a diversity of people, including disadvantaged and marginalized groups in society
7. Co-operative development should enable existing co-operatives to thrive, as well as new co-operatives to form and the transition of existing organisations and assets to co-operative control
8. Co-operative development should align with, and integrate with, wider Inclusive and Democratic Business Model (IDBM) ecosystems and social movements, while retaining a distinctive focus and autonomy

We're inviting views from co-operatives and their supporters in Scotland on these proposed principles. Have your say before 12 April.

What we want you to do

1. In response to the above guiding principles, please answer three questions:

   Q1: To what extent do you agree with these principles? Please explain your answer, particularly where you disagree or suggest amendment.

   Q2: What are the risks in this approach and how might they be mitigated?

   Q3: How could you or your organisation support the enactment of these principles?

2. Fill in this short form to submit your responses – by midnight, Sunday 12 April

What happens next?

All responses will feed into forming the final version of the principles which will be published in the coming months. To keep up to date on this process, please ensure you are signed up to our policy mailing list.