This government call for evidence on business support for co-operatives and non-financial mutuals aims to explore how the government can continue to support co-operatives and non-financial mutuals to start, grow and sustain, as well as support existing businesses transition into a co-operative or mutual model. It builds on the government’s ‘Plan for Small Business’ published earlier this year by taking a more focused look at the co-operatives and mutuals sector.
Co-operatives, mutuals and the wider social economy combine entrepreneurial drive with a commitment to supporting workers and communities. These organisations are often growth-oriented and ambitious, many are also more productive than firms with traditional business models and are more resilient, with far fewer business failures Businesses in this sector are also often rooted in the communities they serve, and this local focus means they play an invaluable role in supporting inclusive, regional economic growth. This includes building skills and creating high-quality jobs generating additional expenditure for local economies.
This call for evidence focuses on how the government can continue to support co-operative and non-financial mutual businesses to start, grow and sustain, as well as existing businesses to transition into a co-operative or mutual model.
It covers:
- data and experiences of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals across sectors
- the start-up experiences of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals
- how co-operatives and non-financial mutuals grow and sustain
- the experiences of businesses that have mutualised, such as transitioned to a co-operative or mutual model
- experiences of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals in accessing business support
We want to hear from industry, academics and civil society across Great Britain (GB). It may be of relevance to:
- co-operative and non-financial mutual businesses operating in GB
- members or potential members of co-operatives and non-financial mutuals in GB
- entrepreneurs interested in establishing a co-operative or a non-financial mutual in GB
- organisations that represent co-operatives or non-financial mutuals in GB
- academics with an interest in co-operatives or non-financial mutuals, or the broader social economy in GB
- public limited companies and other businesses interested in transitioning to a co-operative or non-financial mutual model in GB
You can read further detail about this call for evidence on business support co-operative and non-financial mutuals here.
To find out what support and guidance is available to co-operatives and mutuals, get in touch with the Growth Hub team via our enquiry form here.
