Resources
Community Energy in Northern Ireland
The Concept Paper was prepared in 2025 for the launch of Community Energy NI (CENI).
Community Shares Impact Report 2013 - 2018
Impact Report leaflet 2018
Co-operative-led Solutions to Addressing the Climate Emergency
This policy brief was written by Eleonore Perrin (University of Liverpool) with the help of Tiziana O'Hara (Co-operative Alternatives) in 2021. A quick summary. A co-operative economy would mean a democratised local ecosystem where the production and supply of food and other essential goods and services serves all those involved. A local ecosystem where food and essential goods are produced through community supported agriculture, by co-operative farms and fisheries, in local community gardens. A local ecosystem where we shop in farmers markets, worker-owned bakeries and butchers, and in consumer-owned shops. A local ecosystem where we work in worker-owned factories and firms, producing socially useful goods and services. A local ecosystem where we live in collectively owned houses, powered by community renewable energy. A local ecosystem where we bank in a regional mutual bank and put our savings in credit unions.
Cultivating Community Farming Impact Report
Cultivating Community Farming Impact Report based on the project delivered from 2022 to 2024.
Inclusive Growth Strategy: a Co-operative Perspective in Northern Ireland
This policy brief was written by Eleonore Perrin (University of Liverpool) with the help of Tiziana O'Hara (Co-operative Alternatives), Mary McManus and Lee Robb in 2021. Quick summary: Community Wealth Building is an integrated collaborative approach to transforming the local economy where the local community is the main beneficiary. It harnesses the power of anchor institutions i. e. colleges, universities, hospitals, local authorities that have significant wealth to shift economic development in favour of procuring locally, encouraging sustainable work practices and living wage employment, offering services that benefit residents.
NI Co-op Sector Infographic 2020
NI Co-op Sector Infographic based on the Research of Dr Ellie Perrin (2020)
Simply Series (Co-ops UK)
Simply SeriesThe Simply Series of publications were created by Co-operatives UK to support a variety of co-operatives across the regions. Browse these guides and if you want to discuss anything specific to the Northern Ireland context, please contact Co-operative Alternatives. Simply governance | Co-operatives UKSimply Legal | Co-operatives UKSimply Finance | Co-operatives UKSimply Performance | Co-operatives UKSimply Start-up | Co-operatives UKSimply Buyout | Co-operatives UK
The challenges of emerging co-operatives in Northern Ireland
This research was conducted by Tebibu Solomon in 2021, while completing a Master degree at the University College Cork (UCC) and intern at Co-operative Alternatives. Quick summary:Co-operatives are business enterprises that are democratically controlled and owned by their members and which work in the interests of their members. The cooperative business model plays a significant role in the modern economy, primarily in building a strong local economy. Nonetheless, despite the advanced development of co-operatives, many emerging co-operatives fail short of their full potential and sometimes do not succeed in achieving their business objectives. Co-operatives encounter challenges down the business wire due to factors originating from both internal and external environments. Additionally, the limited availability of literature to provide adequate prior knowledge of potential barriers and challenges to emerging co-ops has also contributed to the struggle of many co-ops. To this end, this study is intended to systematically explore the challenges encountered by emerging co-operatives and draw potential strategies to tackle them. Therefore, the qualitative study was conducted involving seven emerging co-operatives operating in different sectors in Northern Ireland. These seven co- operatives are/were receiving facilitation and consultancy from Co-operative Alternatives, the leading co-operative development body in Northern Ireland.
The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of NI’s Co op Sector
Co‑operative Alternatives and Trademark Belfast are pleased to announce the launch of The Democratic Alternative: Unlocking the Potential of Northern Ireland’s Co‑operative Sector, a major new piece of research conducted by Sean Byers and commissioned by the Department for the Economy. This landmark report provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of Northern Ireland’s co‑operative landscape — its scale, strengths, gaps and untapped potential. It confirms that co‑operatives already generate over £1. 5bn in income, have exceptionally high membership levels, and are disproportionately rooted in communities facing disadvantage. It also shows that Northern Ireland has many of the underlying conditions for a thriving co‑operative economy — but lacks the policy, infrastructure and finance needed to unlock that potential. The report sets out six key recommendations to strengthen and grow the sector:Modernise co‑operative legislation to bring Northern Ireland in line with emerging UK and all‑island reforms. Create a strategic policy framework that embeds co‑operatives within the DfE Economic Vision and regional economic planning. Build a specialist support infrastructure so co‑operatives can access the right advice, networks and development pathways. Improve access to tailored finance, ensuring co‑ops can start, scale and convert ownership models. Embed co‑operative education and awareness across government, advisors, universities and communities. Advance worker and community ownership, including pathways for business conversions and community asset development. Together, these actions offer a practical route to a more inclusive, resilient and democratic economy, one where wealth is rooted locally, good jobs are created, and communities have a real stake in the future. We are proud to share this research and look forward to working with partners across government, business and civil society to take its recommendations forward.
