Cooperatives NorthWest

2012 – International Year of Co-operatives

"Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility."
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

1. Events
2. Resources
3. International Year of Co-operatives

1 Events

Making Local Fruit Work
28 January, 10am-4pm Todmorden Unitarian Church, Honey Hole Road, Todmorden, OL14 6LEMaking Local Food Work and Incredible Edible Todmorden host a day of workshops, networking and inspiration. - bring stalls, displays, produce, scions, ideas, opinions, co-workers, friends and colleagues for a real festival of fruity enterprise. Free but please book here. For more information contact 0161 246 2907 or email.

Simply Governance free training event
1 February, 10am-4pm, Liverpool Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, Liverpool L1 3BT
Suitable for those advising, working with or participating in any community enterprise or co-operative. It is particularly aimed at anyone serving on the governing body of a community food enterprise. To book a place.

Scaling Up Local Food Enterprises
10 February, 10am-3.30pm, Romero Centre, All Hallows College, Brooklands Avenue, Macclesfield SK11 8LB
Aimed at buying groups and transition food groups, it brings together existing larger scale community food enterprises, including Food 4 MACC direct, True Food and Stroudco. Plus Unicorn Grocery and SUMA. Bookings can be made by following the link.

Finances for Food Co-ops
15 February, 10am-3.30pm, Back on Track, 4th Floor, Swan Buildings, Manchester M4 5JW
Basic bookkeeping & financial management free workshop for staff & volunteers looking after finances of community food co-ops and buying groups. Workshop led by Paul Cowham, an accountant specialising in work with charities and community groups. Contact Debbie@sustainweb.org / 07967 227 981.

CICS and Co-ops Conference
22 February, 9.30am-4pm, Burnley Town Hall. Manchester Road, BB11 9SA.
Keynote speech by Sara Burgess, Registrar of Community Interest Companies. Social enterprises and Selnet Associates (maximum 2 per organisation) go free. £15 – others. More details and booking information

Women in Football Day
7 April, FC United of Manchester, Gigg Lane, Bury
The co-operatively-owned football club is holding a special event to celebrate women's involvement in football and in particular at FC United. The club's Promotions Team are considering various activities, including an exhibition, around this theme. Any co-operatives or co-operators that wish to be involved are asked to contact promotions@fc-utd.co.uk .

'Port to 'Port by bike
On Saturday 17 March 2012, Stockport County supporters are getting on their bikes for the "County Charity Cycle" to raise money for good causes.
Cost of entry is £15 and all riders gain free entry into the match, courtesy of Southport Football Club. The selected route covers a total of 46.7 miles, and is flat.
More details are available including registration at http://www.countysupporterscoop.co.uk/
and anyone wishing to sponsor a rider can donate here

2 Resources

Co-operative Business Assistance Programme
Last Chance to take advantage of the current programme. Free, no nonsense , tailored training, advice and consultancy business support for North West co-operatives. Apply at 

Leadership and Management Funding
Last call for funding available for social enterprises and SME’s employing 2 – 249 staff to access expertise, training/consultancy: The grant is for up to £1,000 and requires match funding but can be used to support activity that is planned with a deliverer of your choice. Applications Closing Date Feb 2012. Delivery Closing Date 31 March 2012. Contact Karen Dudley, 07759723248 for more information.

ESF Community Learning
Grants of up to a maximum of £12,000 are available to support some of the hardest to reach communities and individuals, to help people access further learning or training that could lead to employment. Details at 

Co-operatives UK launches new IPS model rules 
Model rule descriptions at. In brief, the legislative reform makes changes in three key areas: age limits, share capital and interim accounts. More information.

Human Interest
This new Community Interest Company, offers free advice to Co-operative NW members regarding human resources, finance, change, planning, bidding, strategy and public relations advice. More information at humaninterest@mail.com , or here.

The Big Life Group – seeking social enterprises offering facilities management services for businesses (primarily offices but including child day care centres) as it is currently working on a tender for the near future. It has locations throughout Manchester and Liverpool which will be involved. further information here.

3 International Year of Co-operatives

The International Year of Co-operatives was launched on 12 January. Here’s what’s happening!

Brand new report shows that there are now three times more members of co-operatives than individual shareholders worldwide. To read more

Co-operative Diversity Action is highlighting co-ops led by, or which benefit, a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Refugee (BAMER) community. Contact john.mayford@olmec-ec.org.uk or Olmec on 0207 6888020 more info at 

FC United marked the launch of International Year of Cooperatives by backing calls for more fan-owned football clubs – the co-operative football club added its backing to a statement from all cooperatively-owned football clubs across the UK and Europe highlighting the importance of supporter ownership to the future of football. For full item

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Co-operatives North West is funded by trading income, the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and European Regional Development Fund .