Co-operative Assistance Network Limited

Bright Ideas Fund

CAN is a Co-operatives UK preferred support provider for the Bright Ideas Programme.

Co-operatives UK have partnered with Locality and the Plunkett Foundation to deliver the programme which is jointly funded by Power to Change and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

It provides community businesses based in England with business development support, grants of up to £20,000, and opportunities to visit other community businesses.

Business support – help for your co-op

Access up to six days of tailored support with a co-op expert to help your co-op to grow, adapt your services or address challenges you face.  Provided by a partnership between Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Bank.  CAN is a provider to this scheme.

Catalyst Collective

Worker co-operative providing Registered Rules and advice to start-up co-operatives. Provide Radical Routes with their model rules.

Confederation of Co-operative Housing UK

The UK organisation for housing co-operatives, tenant-controlled housing organisations and regional federations of housing co-ops.

Co-operatives UK

Co‑operatives UK is the voice for the UK’s thousands of independent co‑ops.  They are the main registration agent for co-operatives in the UK.

Development Co-operative Limited

The national consortium of co-operatrive development bodies, formed specifically to take on larger co-operative development and advice projects.  Able to provide specialist co-operative development knowledge acquired over decades to you wherever you are in the UK.  CAN is a founder member of the Development Co-op.

Employee Ownership Association

The Employee Ownership Association (EOA) represents organisations that are employee owned or transitioning to employee ownership across the UK.  The EOA is a not for profit and politically independent organisation that works in close partnership with its members to champion, promote and provide insight into the business case for employee ownership. Members benefit from unique learning, networking and trading opportunities across the network of diverse companies of all sizes and sectors.

The EOA can provide guidance, advice and support to those considering the transition to employee ownership.

Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency

Greenwich CDA provides intensive support to communities that become active in solving their own difficulties.  Our services are free to beneficiaries within our areas of programme delivery.

International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)

The global apex body for the co-operative movement. Has regional offices in Africa, America, Asia & Pacific and Europe.

Platform 6

Platform 6 Development Co-operative Limited is a platform co-operative and community of co-operative development practice with the goal of being an innovative engine for the creation of other new co-operatives (both platform and otherwise). "Our open P2P mutual support model will enable us to crowdsource innovation, finance and support, and will open up new opportunities to expand the co-operative economy. We're bringing co-operative development into the era of the digital platform."

Radical Routes

A network of little fishes - co-operatives working for social change. A collective of small worker co-operatives and housing co-operatives providing mutual assistance and model rules.

Regional Consortia of Co-operative Development Bodies

Regional consortia allow CDBs to work together to provide a coherent, comprehensive and co-ordinated service across an entire region of the UK.  CAN is a member of the following regional consortia of CDBs:

• South West Co-operative Support

Regional Co-operative Councils

RCCs work in partnership with Co-operatives UK to represent and promote the co-operative sector regionally. CAN is a member of the following RCCS:

• Co-operatives East
• Co-operatives London
• Co-operatives South West

Social Business Wales

Everything you need to know about starting, running, growing and financing a Social Business.  Social businesses include social enterprises, co-operatives, mutuals and employee owned businesses.  Includes interactive tools and links to sources of support.  Enables you to specify exactly what support you require.  Based in Wales but applicable to the whole UK.  Oh, and the content was written by CAN!

Social Enterprise Coalition

The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) is the UK trade body that brings together all types of social enterprise to promote the sector and share knowledge.

Social Enterprise Link

Creating and providing opportunities for social, co-operative, community and trading charity enterprises in Wessex. The leading specialist Social and Solidarity Enterprise infrastructure organisation opening up opportunities for Social Enterprises, providing members with services and liaising with the private, public and non-trading (or voluntary) charity sectors. Together, often working as part of the VCSE, we are facilitating the creation of a strong local Social and Solidarity Economy Enterprise Sector in Hamphire, Dorset, Isle of Wight and beyond.

Social Enterprise UK

The national body for social enterprise - business with a social or environmental mission.

Social Firms England (was Social Firms UK)

Social Firms England is the national membership and support organisation for the development of the Social Firm sector.  Social Firms are trading businesses that create jobs or training for people who are job-disadvantaged due to discrimination.  Social Firms England is the go-to expert for specialist business support, resource material and case studies to develop social firms.  They offer consultancy and information to social firms, local and public authorities, housing associations, and others to support job creation.  CAN is a Supporter Member of Social Firms England.

Southampton Area Co-operative Development Agency (SACDA)

Southampton's local practitioners in co-operative and social enterprise development.

UK Co-housing Network

A network to support the development of co-housing projects. Does what it says on the tin!

workers.coop

A federation of worker led co-operatives - businesses owned and controlled by the people who work for them.

"Our purpose is to motivate, educate and organise people to start, strengthen and grow great worker co-ops."