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Blog articles:
Launch: The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of NI’s Co-op Sector
The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of Northern Ireland’s Co‑operative Sector. Co‑operative Alternatives and Trade...
Northern Ireland needs a consistent Community Benefit Funds Guidance
Community Energy NI launched a new report on the 25th June 2026 at Clifton House. The CENI report argues that renewable energy dev...
Transforming the Care System - a new CLES report
The new report Ending Extraction in the UK Care System (CLES, November 2025) shines a stark light on how profit-driven models are...
Northern Ireland’s Co-operative Economy in 2025: A Moment of Opportunity
The newly published Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2025 by Co-operatives UK highlights record-breaking growth across the U...
Recommended Reading: Fresh off the press!
If you joined us at the SCSI-UKSCS conference back in February, you might remember Ian Adderley sharing a glimpse into his forthco...
Co-operative Development Programme Impact Report
This report highlights the far‑reaching positive impact of the innovative partnership between Co‑operatives UK and The Co‑operativ...
Resources:
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.
Community Energy in Northern Ireland
The Concept Paper was prepared in 2025 for the launch of Community Energy NI (CENI).
The Growth of Community Energy
The Growth of Community Energy was a report prepared by the NICE and Drumlin Joint Committee in 2020 in response to the emerging DfE Energy Strategy.
Cultivating Community Farming Impact Report
Cultivating Community Farming Impact Report based on the project delivered from 2022 to 2024.
