Co-Operative Commission

‘Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the future’ case study

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has a rich history of co-operative development, dating back to the 1700s with the founding of the first co-operative corn mill in Woolwich. Today, the borough is home to a vibrant mix of organisations committed to fostering community, environmental, and social impact. This unique foundation enables Royal Greenwich to lead in growing the local co-operative economy across various sectors.

What is a Co-operative?

Co-operatives, or co-ops, are businesses and organisations that are democratically owned and controlled by their members to meet shared needs. These members—whether customers, employees, residents, or suppliers—have a direct say in how the enterprise operates. Unlike investor-led businesses that often prioritise profit for distant shareholders, co-operatives are owned by the people closest to the business and the community it serves.

Research consistently shows that co-operatives are more resilient and productive than conventional businesses. They offer substantial benefits for members, workers, local communities, and the wider economy.

What Did We Do?

In early 2024, the Co-operative Commission was established, chaired by The Rt Hon. the Lord Bassam of Brighton, with the aim of developing a long-term vision for co-operative growth in the borough. The Commission focused on three key sectors:

• Co-operative business support
• Community energy
• Social care

Over the course of a year, the Commission engaged in more than ten evidence-gathering sessions, held consultations with experts, and issued a public call for evidence, receiving 63 responses. Insights from local, regional, and national organisations helped identify best practices, benefits, barriers, and opportunities for co-operative growth.

The Commission’s findings were presented in the report Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future, launched at the 2025 Co-operative Councils Innovation Network Conference, held at Woolwich Works on 12–13 February. The conference brought together leaders, communities, and policymakers from across the UK to explore innovative ways local authorities can support local economies and build stronger, fairer communities.

A key highlight of the launch was the announcement of a £1 million investment to establish a new Community Energy Fund, reinforcing Greenwich’s commitment to sustainability and co-operative principles.

Findings and Recommendations

1. Supporting New and Existing Co-operative Start-ups and Businesses

Key findings:

• Co-operatives often struggle with long-term financing and limited awareness among policymakers and funders.
• Specialised support and awareness-raising of co-operative business models are crucial for growth.

Recommendations:

• Partner with local universities and anchor institutions to promote co-operative models.
• Ensure local businesses can access support programmes tailored to democratic and co-operative business development.
• Invest in staff training across the council to embed a co-operative mindset.
• Explore the formation of a London-wide co-operative network to facilitate inter-council collaboration and improve procurement opportunities for co-ops.

2. Social Care

Key findings:

• The social care sector is challenged by workforce shortages, high turnover, underfunding, and poor working conditions.
• Care often lacks personalisation and fails to reflect individual needs.
• Employee-owned businesses and co-ops can offer personalised, relationship-based care and promote innovation by empowering their workers

Recommendations:

• Co-produce a Co-operative Care Compact with residents, workers, and care providers to define shared values and outcomes for a more co-operative care system.
• Conduct a strategic review of commissioning to identify areas where co-operative care models could be introduced.
• Encourage the growth of co-operative micro-businesses in health and care.
• Establish a local health and social care workforce board and care workers’ network to strengthen collaboration, communication, and co-operation in the sector.

3. Community Energy

Key findings:

• Community-led energy initiatives are uniquely positioned to respond to rising energy costs and the climate crisis, thanks to their local knowledge and collaborative approach.
• Challenges include financial constraints, complex energy markets, and limited funding.

Recommendations:

• Launch a £1 million Community Energy Fund to invest in local carbon-reducing projects.
• In preparation for the national Great British Energy initiative, develop a Local Power Plan with a cross-sector taskforce and community stakeholders.
• Create a Community Energy Partnership Board to unite stakeholders, streamline access to funding, and support local groups with information and expertise.

Next Steps To ensure effective implementation, the Commission recommended the creation of a Co-operative Commission Board. This board will oversee progress, monitor the delivery of recommendations, and provide strategic governance.

These actions aim to establish Royal Greenwich as a leading co-operative borough—one where co-operative values are embedded across business, care, and energy sectors, building a more inclusive, resilient, and empowered community.

Read the full report: Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future