Developing a co-operative network and community for Preston

• Lead Member Preston City Council
• Categories Community

The Preston Cooperative Development Network (PCDN) is working with Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to strengthen the cooperative economy in Preston. With funding from the Open Society Foundation and Preston City Council, the project has three objectives: develop the co-operative economy as a network of co-operatives, individuals and support institutions, including a Co-operative Education Centre and a Union-Co-op; establish 10 new worker cooperatives; and capture project learning to share with other interested cities, authorities and policy makers.

Key to the project is the contribution of external expertise. Consultants from the Mondragón co-operatives in the Basque Country will explore the potential for social entrepreneurship and partnership work with the PCDN and 1Worker1Vote from the U.S.A. will advise on union cooperatives as a model for emerging worker cooperatives.

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