Young Co-operatives is a scheme that provides young people with a practical introduction to co-operative enterprise. The project has already helped many students to establish horticultural or recycling businesses, as well as their own healthy-eating tuck shops.

Involvement in a Young Co-operative provides an excellent variety of learning opportunities in the field of business’, including democratic co-operation and ethical or global trade issues. The young people are completely in controlñ from selecting and pricing stock, researching markets, devising promotional materials, managing finance and so on. Some have even produced plans to set an agenda for their own future development.

Through Young Co-operatives, young people learn to work with one another. Each member has a stake in the business and an equal opportunity to contribute and make decisions.

To start a co-operative in a school or youth group, log on to the website for more information. Membership is free and registration is quick and easy. Once people have joined, they can access all areas of the site and download action kits to help them set up a project.

Schools and colleges registered with ASDAN, the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network, will also be able to offer their students the chance to enter the Co-operative Enterprise Award.

Contact: The Co-operative College, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS
Email: enquiries@​youngco-​operatives.​coop
Website: www​.youngco​-operatives​.coop

Douglas Alexander MP, the Secretary of State for International Development, chats to a group of Young
Co-operators about their business enterprise
Photo: © The Co-operative College