Hi everyone
On Monday we launched a new exciting programme in partnership with Islington Council, Hackney Cooperative Developments, Principle Six, Stir to Action, Cooperation Town and Cooperatives UK -
a programme to build an even stronger cooperative sector, and a more inclusive economy in Islington and we were hoping you can help spread the word about the project.
I have added some text for you to use to promote this further and please engage with us on social media as well.
Hi!
I hope this email finds you well.
We have some big news that we would like to share with you, and we would like to ask you to share with any and all relevant contacts 
We have just launched Cooperate Islington, a programme to build an even stronger cooperative sector, and a more inclusive economy in Islington. This ambitious project will ensure that money spent in the borough is spent ethically and locally.
Applications for seed funding of up to £20,000 are now open to new or early-stage coops who want to operate in Islington, or established co-ops who want to expand into the borough. We also want to speak to established businesses and institutions who are interested in making their supply chains more ethical and more cooperative.
Cooperate Islington will focus on developing cooperatives in the Foundational Economy - goods and services that people need to access regardless of their income and social status. We will work particularly with the care sector (childcare and adult social care), education, housing, utilities, food supply, green initiatives and tradespeople.
We are collaborating with a number of amazing organisations, Hackney Cooperative Developments, Principle Six, Stir to Action, Cooperation Town and Cooperatives UK so we can reach more people and make the project a success.The programme is being funded by and delivered in partnership with Islington Council.
Key activities this year include:
- Setting up a brand new Cooperative Development Agency, with its own governing body and membership, and a mix of funding and commercial revenue.
- Giving out £75,000 in grants to new or early-stage coops who want to operate in Islington, or established co-ops who want to expand into the borough. These groups will also be given up to 7 days of bespoke mentoring and training, as well as free membership to SPACE4.
- Running a series of public events and training to raise awareness of coops and boost skills needed to run a successful cooperative business.
- Hosting sector-by-sector roundtables, and building relationships with ‘anchor institutions’ and other big buyers in the borough to help them make their supply chains more local and more cooperative. We’ll be identifying their needs and looking for opportunities to adapt their procurement processes so that they can more easily purchase goods and services from coops in Islington.
Could you help us spread the word on social media? We’ve attached a selection of social media assets to this email that you can use. Here are our latest posts that you can share with your network:
We have also written a blog about the project that you can share. And you can read Islington’s press release here.
Thank you so much for your support, we really appreciate it.
Polly and the rest of the Cooperate Islington team.
