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 can apply to The Hive to get help to develop and grow. Our expert advice will help you to sustain jobs, grow your membership, income or improve your profitability.

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.

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.

Start a worker owned co-op

Content by Ownership Hub
The Ownership Hub is a joint project between Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association. Working with regional partners we raise awareness of worker and employee ownership and support people to explore options and access support. 

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…

Interested in co-op development?

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