Archibald launches £30,000 funding to support growth of co-operatives
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is inviting proposals to support the growth and development of co-operatives across the north.
The £30,000 open call for proposals aims to unlock the potential of the wider social economy to deliver good jobs, strengthen regional balance, and support more resilient local communities.
The Minister said:
“Co-operatives offer a powerful way for people to take collective ownership of local economic activity, creating good jobs, keeping wealth within communities, and helping build a fairer and more regionally balanced economy.
“Co-operatives have demonstrated resilience, innovation and real social value, often succeeding in places where traditional business models struggle. This call is about recognising that potential and supporting more groups to develop, grow and lead positive change in their local areas.”
The new open call invites proposals that will:
- Increase awareness and understanding of the co-operative model;
- Provide practical support and infrastructure to help new and existing co-operatives grow;
- Support co-operatives to develop new opportunities or enter new markets, helping them play a larger role in local economic development, decarbonisation activity, and community-led regeneration.
Full details on how to apply, including eligibility criteria and supporting documents, are available at Co operative Support Open Call.
Notes to editors:
- Co-operatives are businesses that are owned and run by their members, they operate on the principles of democratic control, shared benefit, and reinvestment into local places, meaning that decisions are made collectively, and profits are used to strengthen the organisation or the community it serves.
- In September 2025, the Minister announced £55,000 funding for a programme that included gathering essential data on existing and emerging co-operatives and producing targeted research to inform future policy development. This latest funding builds on that work and demonstrates the Minister’s commitment to harnessing the potential of the social economy.
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