Co-operative Futures Home page

What are we?

Co-operative Futures is a dynamic co-operative policy and development agency supporting the development of social enterprises in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Wiltshire. Specialising in co-operative and community owned enterprises, we have established a reputation as one of the leading social enterprise development agencies in our area. We also work with partners to provide support to co-operatives across the whole of the South East and South West regions of England.

Co-operatives are:

- Owned and run by their members, working together to achieve their common aims
- Based on values of democracy, self-help, social responsibility and caring for the community
- A sustainable solution for businesses and community groups

Social Enterprises

Social enterprises are businesses that trade in the market to deliver their social aims. Their three main characteristics are:

- Trading - they aim to be viable businesses through their trading activity
- Social Purpose - they have defined social aims such as the provision of local services or goods, job creation, or training
- Social Ownership - they are owned and run by their communities (users or clients etc). Profits are distributed amongst members or used for the benefit of the community

Types of social enterprise include:
Co-operatives, credit unions, social firms, community owned enterprises, community development trusts.

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