The Hive: Support provider specification

About this document

This guidance is for individuals and organisations that deliver support on behalf of The Hive programme, managed by Co‐operatives UK in partnership with The Co-operative Bank.

You can read through this guidance here or click the download button at the top of this page to download a pdf copy.

This is for Hive support providers who have:

• Identified that they are able to deliver the services described in this document.

• Applied to join the preferred provider list.

• Been admitted to the list on the basis of having met pre‐set criteria (as determined by Co‐operatives UK).

No contracts are entered into for a provider to join the list, instead individual contracts are established for each package of work.

This document was last issued in January 2021. It:

• Provides an update on how and what support will be made available to new and existing co‐operatives who successfully apply to The Hive from January 2021.

• Outlines the co‐operative business support services to be purchased from The Hive’s support providers by Co‐operatives UK on behalf of The Hive.

• Is a reference point for all providers delivering services for Co‐operatives UK on behalf of The Hive.

The Hive support

The Hive offers up to 10 days tailored business support, peer mentoring and training.

Click on the links to access the relevant application guidance and eligibility criteria for the relevant support pathway:

• Start‑up co‑op businesses and organisations.
• Existing co‑operatives that have been trading for more than 2 years.
• Existing businesses looking to convert to worker or community ownership.

You can also see The Hive eligibility checker.