Below are a selection of guides and links on how to set up different kinds of co-operatives as well as some of the organisations that can help you do that. If you have suggestions on things which could be added, please contact us.
Co-operatives generally
Co-operative identity, values & principles – the basis for the principles on which co-operatives around the world operate to this day.
Developing and starting a co-op – A series of guides from Co-operatives UK
Simply START-UP – A guide to the process of starting a Co-operative or Community Enterprise
From conflict to co-operation – The series aims to help community enterprises not only to deal with conflict when it arises (Booklet 1), but also avoid unnecessary conflict by:
- improving communication (Booklet 2)
- improving meetings and decision-making (Booklet 3)
- managing change caused by organisational growth and development (Booklet 4)
- clarifying the role of the Committee (Booklet 5)
Workers’ co-operatives
How to set up a Workers’ Co-op – comprehensive guide produced by Radical Routes
Setting up a Workers’ Co-op – 4 page short guide by Seeds for Change
The worker co-operative code – Written by Co-operatives UK’s Worker Co-operative Council.
Workers’ co-operative Facebook page – A place to share news about workers’ co-ops.
World Declaration on Worker Cooperatives – Approved by the ICA General Assembly in Cartagena, Columbia, 23rd September 2005.
A short history of co-operatives in the UK by Molly Scott Cato
The International Organisation of Industrial, Artisanal and Service Producers’ Cooperatives, or CICOPA – the international organisation representing workers’ co-operatives
Housing co-operatives
How to set up a Housing Co-op – comprehensive guide produced by Radical Routes
Co-operative Housing in Brighton & Hove (CHIBAH) – a network of co-operatives that promotes co-operative housing in Brighton and Hove.
The Confederation for Co-operative Housing – national organisation that promotes housing co-operatives
Radical Routes Housing Co-operatives – national organisation that promotes and supports housing and workers’ co-operatives
Food co-operatives
Food Co-ops Toolkit – a simple and comprehensive guide to setting up food co-ops – produced by SustainWeb
Energy co-operatives / Community energy
Community Energy – A guide aimed at local groups who are interested in setting up a community energy project. (produced by UK Gov)
The Rough Guide to Community Energy
Brighton Energy Co-op: An Innovation History – Report prepared by Sabine Hielscher on behalf of the Community Innovation for Sustainable Energy research team
Care co-operatives
Story of Sunderland Home Care Associates and how it became a co-operative
Land co-operatives / Community Land trusts
Community Land Trust wikipedia page
Multi-stakeholder co-operatives
Multistakeholder Co-operative (Somerset Rules)
Multi-stakeholder Co-operative Model Rules– by Co-operatives UK
The Great Promise of Multi-stakeholder Cooperatives – short article on multi-stakeholder co-operatives
Co-op Development/consultancy Bodies/Professionals
South East Co-operative Support
Co-operative Business Consultants (CBC)
Mutual Aid In Sussex (MAIS) 