Funding support and co‑op development
As part of our our mission is to grow the co-operative economy, we work with partners and funders to deliver co-op support programmes. We help new co-ops to set up through The Hive; provide sector specific support for tech and platform co-ops through UnFound; promote and support worker owned co-ops through the Ownership Hub and help communities raise funds through community shares. We also work closely with local authorities to understand and develop local and regional co-op development strategies.
Featured content
Apply for support – existing co‑ops
Content by The Hive
Co‑ops that have been trading for two years or more – or those experiencing trading difficulties – can apply to The Hive for tailored support. Our expert advice will help you to sustain jobs, grow your membership, income or improve your…
Content by The Hive
Community Shares Booster Programme – England
Content by Community Shares Booster Fund
We can support your community share offers in England with development grants and matched investment. There are three pathways of support to choose from.
Content by Community Shares Booster Fund
Start a platform co-op
Content by Unfound
UnFound is for founders looking for a different way to set-up and run a platform business. It brings together entrepreneurs that would like to develop their digital business in a more collaborative and equitable way.
Content by Unfound
Start a worker co-op
Content by Ownership Hub
Worker co-operatives are trading enterprises, owned and run by the people who work in them, who have an equal say in what the business does, and an equitable share in the wealth created from the products and services they provide. If you'd like to…
Content by Ownership Hub
Work in partnership
Through partnership working with local government, business networks and community organisations we help transform local economies and communities. It's all about local wealth building, co-op development and community engagement.
Empowering places
Content by Empowering Places
Empowering Places is a programme which aims to demonstrate the role that concentrated clusters of community businesses can play in creating better places and reducing inequality in local areas. Funded by Power to Change, the programme is delivered by…
Content by Empowering Places
Blog posts
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Co-op Policy Blog #24: Budget implications for co-ops across the UK
The Chancellor’s Budget and Spending Review is not earth-shattering... or really Earth saving either.
1 month ago
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A ‘game-changing’ revolution taking shape in communities across the UK
Content by Community Shares
A mountainous two-day hike into the Knoydart peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland, takes you to one of the most remote communities in the UK – and the mainland’s most remote pub (the Guinness…
2 months ago
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IBM v Co-op – the importance of good project management
This blog uses a recent case study to highlight to the importance of effective project management when it comes to digital transformation projects, especially when they do not go as planned.
5 months ago
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A look at sociocracy amongst UK co-operatives
This blog looks at the rise in interest of Sociocracy being used within co-operatives in the UK.
5 months ago
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GDPR after Brexit – where are we now?
Whilst the initial post-Brexit period focused on the import and export of goods, questions are turning to the transfer of data and the impact of Brexit on information governance.
5 months ago
Resources
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Co-ops: Giving young people a fairer future (webinar)
Content by The Hive
Hear from our a panel of young people who have been involved in or founded a range of co‑ops. Discover how co‑ops can empower young people and provide opportunities to help them build successful,…
20 days ago
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The Community Shares Booster Fund brochure
This document invites institutions to join Co‑operatives UK and our partnership of anchor institutional investors, to grow the thriving community shares market via investment in the Booster Fund.
2 months ago
Union-Coops:UK Manifesto Worker Co-op Council Response
Co-operatives UK and its Worker Co-operative Council warmly welcome the launch of the Union-Coops:UK initiative.
4 months ago
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Ready for what's next
This short paper offers national and local policymakers optimistic and practical options for addressing the economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead. It draws on promising new data from…
5 months ago
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Supporting co-operative growth locally
This short paper is an offer to work in partnership with local leaders who have clear policy objectives to support co-op growth in their area.
7 months ago
You may also be interested in
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How co-ops can empower communities
An opportunity for groups across the Lancaster district and beyond to discover the power of co-ops to strengthen communities.
Thursday 03 February 2022
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Freelancers unite! The power of co-ops and joint working
Organised by Co-operatives UK
An opportunity for freelancers in any sector to discover how joining forces makes good business sense.
Wednesday 12 January 2022
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Doing business differently – free webinars to help start-ups get off the ground
Content by The Hive
A series of free webinars starts this month, introducing the co-op model to people looking for a more collaborative, democratic approach to running a business start‑up.
1 month ago
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Is starting a co-op right for you?
Content by The Hive
Organised by Co-operatives UK
Discover co-ops – their purpose and benefits. And find out if your business idea suits the co-op model…
Wednesday 09 February 2022
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Platform co-ops – your route to an ethical digital business in Scotland
Content by The Hive
An opportunity for people in Scotland to discover how platform co‑ops can put power and profits in the hands of service providers, rather than tech giants.
Tuesday 25 January 2022