What We Do

Co-operatives are a powerful and proven way for people and communities to solve the social, economic or cultural issues they face. The first co-ops were created because communities needed a way to deal with the exploitation and hardship that came hand-in-hand with the industrial revolution. Co-ops have proven time and again to be a highly effective alternative to the dominant capital-led model in which external investors are the prime beneficiaries of the business. In contrast, co-operatives are purpose driven organisations, they are a democratic form of mutual self-help and they keep the benefits of the business within their communities

We work with stakeholders to develop initial concepts into business and financial models and plans. The business plans are then tested and incubated with our support. We also work to resolve structural or systemic barriers facing start-up co-operatives, such as by bringing mission aligned finance into the frame to support emerging new co-operatives, through the formation of secondary co-ops that can do the “heavy lifting” for a number of similar co-operatives

The challenges facing communities today are as serious as they have ever been: inequality, environmental destruction, falling trust in democracy and a boom in misinformation. There are many ways for an individual or a community to respond to these challenges, but forming a co-operative to meet common needs or address common problems is one the most constructive and effective ways to take control of the situation.

Currently our work is focused on a range of projects including: supporting a growing secondary co-operative serving student housing co-operatives, establishing a Social purpose real estate investment trust to support the growth of the social sector, launching a co-operative that invests in energy-saving technologies in the social sector, and forming a co-operative that owns and operates holiday accommodation for its members.