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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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.
2 days 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.
3 days 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.
3 days ago
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Co-op Policy Blog #22: Hitting the ground running
Across the UK politicians from a range of parties have just been elected with commitments to support co-ops and a more democratic economy. We are already reaching out to offer our help, so politicians…
1 month ago
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Policy Blog #21: Economic democracy for all?
Community ownership has been one of the biggest democratising forces in our economy, from farming to football. The UK government’s new Community Ownership Fund could help spread the benefits further,…
1 month ago
Resources
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. It summarises the rationale for proactively supporting…
1 month ago
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Head of Finance recruitment
Download the recruitment pack and job description for the Head of Finance (12 months) role.
2 months ago
Community Ownership Fund: Maximising impact through Community Shares
Content by Community Shares
This paper focuses on why and how the Community Ownership Fund can utilise the Community Shares financing model.
2 months ago
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Empowering Places Interim Report
Content by Empowering Places
Empowering Places aims to build more resilient communities by supporting community businesses to provide benefits and opportunities for local people.
7 months ago
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Employee and worker ownership recovery strategy paper
Read our policy paper setting out why city regions should include measures to support the creation of employee and worker owned businesses.
1 year ago
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Welcoming three new experts to the Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel
The Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel is one of a number of member groups facilitated by Co-operatives UK. These groups exist so that our members can influence our work, but they are also…
2 days ago
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What if communities owned the high street?
Imagining a future of shared ownership and how we might get there
Wednesday 09 June 2021
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Seeking an expert to join our co‑operative governance panel
The Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel, led and facilitated by Co‑operatives UK, is looking for a new panel member.
14 days ago
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How can 106 students renovate their co-operative home?
A virtual tour around a very unconventional building project
Wednesday 16 June 2021
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Community Energy Innovation Conference
Join Community Energy England to explore innovative business models and technologies at the forefront of the community energy movement.
Monday 14 June 2021