Co-operatives and mutuals have a role to play in almost every aspect of local government, from community regeneration and economic development to housing and anti-poverty strategies.
Hazel Blears’s Empowerment White Paper has created an historical opportunity to put communities firmly in control. How do we ensure that this is done in tune with co-operative values and principles?
Community Gateway Link to website
Community Mutual Community Mutual Model -Sure Start Millmead, Kent
Confederation of Co-operative Housing Submission by the UK Co-operative Council to the Co-operative Commission on the development of the housing co-operative sector
Greenwich Leisure Ltd
Participatory Budgeting The Experience of the Participative Budget in Porto Alegre
Anti-Poverty strategies
Leisure services
Can Ordinary People Decide how Local Government Spends its Money?
Co-operative and Social Enterprise
December 22nd, 2008
By: Piya Malik
The current crisis climate has made us all question the structural integrity of our economy and forced us to re-consider the way we view wealth. Enterprise, being the life-blood of our economy, is no exception to this.
Co-operative and social enterprises offer a unique opportunity to do things differently. Run on the core values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, equity and solidarity, they aim to be ethical fair and just. The Phone Co-op is one such example of a sustainable business model that places social responsibility at the top of its agenda. Born out a desire to supply an alternative service to big business telecommunication companies providing real value for consumers, it also has a comprehensive list of ethical and environmental policies, from transparent pricing policies and ‘fair and just’ business dealings, to carbon-offsetting, recycling purchasing renewable energy and offering bicycles for staff to travel to work.
What more can government do to support co-operative and social enterprises like this? Are there policies that could encourage the growth of the sector?
So, what are your thoughts: COMMENT ON THIS POST
Comments on Co-operative and Social Enterprise
Joshua Allen says:
April 18th, 2009 at 11:24 am
By devolving power to the lowest level you put people in control and develop a sense of ‘can do’.
If properly supported by grants and training this could provide for a strengthening of mutual power.
The local currency initiative is an interesting one. A local currency-freely convertible with sterling-provides a means of local economic development, keeping money in the community.
Charlie Marks says:
April 18th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
The building societies have increased deposits from people fleeing the private banks - perhaps some of this money could be invested in expanding the cooperative and social enterprise sector of our economy?
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