Activity-Based Learning Provided by Empowered.Works
OUR.COOP · COOPERATIVES

Our.COOP

Building and improving cooperative businesses

Adapted from C-BED, Our.COOP carries a self-help group from testing the cooperative idea through to running an efficient, formal business.

A group writing up cooperative-planning notes together on flip-chart paper

What it is

Our.COOP is a training package and programme from the ILO designed to help individuals and self-help groups create cooperatives and improve their economic opportunities. It helps people in the informal economy build formal cooperative businesses, and assists existing cooperatives with management and operational challenges — using free, simple, peer-to-peer and activity-based learning tools adapted from C-BED.

Key features

  • Formalisation support: Helps informal-economy groups build a formal cooperative business.
  • Ongoing support: Assists existing cooperatives with management and operational challenges.
  • Audience: Individuals, self-help groups and workers in rural and urban informal economies.
  • Method: Peer-to-peer, activity-based learning adapted from the ILO's C-BED programme.

Training modules

  • Think Co-op: Introduces the cooperative business model and tests its feasibility.
  • Start Co-op: Guides users step-by-step through setting one up.
  • Manage Co-op: Focuses on continuous improvement and efficient day-to-day running.
A group gathered around a table sketching out ideas on a large sheet of paper
Think Co-op, Start Co-op, Manage Co-op — each module is worked through as a group, on paper

Watch it in action

Our.COOP introduction
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