A worker co-operative has secured a loan from Co-op Loan Fund as they continue their multi-layered approach to strategic economic development powered by democratic ownership. Stir to Action was founded as an online publisher in 2012 platforming new ideas and debate around economic alternatives. Over the past decade it has developed into a national infrastructure […]
A successful community owned and managed pub is now proudly powered by renewable energy as residents attract funding for solar panel installation. Located in Belthorn in Lancashire and just over three miles away from the centre of Blackburn, The Dog Inn has been a successfully run community owned pub since 2015. After opposing plans by […]
The co-operative movement has long been at forefront of putting environmental and ecological principles and values into action to tackle climate breakdown. Co-operatives have been global leaders in building economic, social and environmental sustainability through creating models of business based on ethical values and principles. Whether it be community renewable energy, sustainable co-operative housing, minimising […]
Co-operatives have played a major role in the development of Fair Trade and building belief in the possibility of a better world. Fair Trade co-ops have been global leaders in building economic, social and environmental sustainability through creating models of business based on ethical values and principles. They can provide for the needs and aspirations […]
Climate change and the climate crisis is no new concept, it has been the subject of policy agenda and environmental activism for decades. Only more recently has it been treated with the urgency required as we are forced to examine and act upon the very real and catastrophic existential threat of climate breakdown. The co-operative […]
A worker co-operative with a mission to build a new economy is preparing to open a residential training centre, with finance from Co-op Loan Fund. Stir to Action, which runs national workshop programmes, supports co-operative and community business development, and publishes a magazine, has secured the lease, on very favourable terms, for Selgars Mill near […]
Rebike Cumbria is celebrating 10 successful years in business following a move to larger, better located premises earlier this year with support from Co-op Loan Fund. The business is now based in a 5,000 sq ft warehouse on an industrial estate near the centre of Carlisle. It has over twice as much space to store, […]
New lending to a community-based food and farming enterprise has added to the accolades being given to the managers of the Co-operative Loan Fund. Just two weeks after winning the Citi Microentrepreneurship Award for Effective Partnership in recognition of its work with the Just Growth Fund, Co-operative & Community Finance, which manages the Co-operative Loan Fund, […]
A co-operative that provides a broad range of wood-related services, from tree surgery to selling fuel, is consolidating after a period of rapid growth with support from The Co-operative Loan Fund. Greater Manchester TreeStation, based in West Gorton, aims to make the conurbation a greener, more sustainable environment by a combination of responsible woodland management, […]
An innovative co-operative that helps people to become smallholders has received a loan from The Co-operative Loan Fund as part of a new support programme. The Ecological Land Co‑operative (ELC) is the first recipient of a package of support, grant and loan via Just Growth, the funding programme for community food and farming projects launched […]