Self-led learning
For many years, our courses have supported learners, members, and communities through both in-person and online delivery. While we are no longer providing direct teaching, our commitment to co-operative education remains unchanged.
As part of our Learning legacy, and to help address the lack of quality co-operative learning material available, we will soon be making seven of our key courses freely available to learners across the UK and the world via OpenLearn Create, the Open University’s open educational platform.
Our courses are designed to help you understand, apply, and champion co-operative values in a wide range of contexts. You can learn at your own pace and focus on the topics most relevant to you.
Introduction to co-operatives
A starting point for anyone new to co-operatives.
You will:
- Learn what a co-operative is
- Explore its history, values, and principles
- Understand how co-operatives operate in the UK and globally
- Reflect on co-operative values in action
This course is flexible and self-paced, with a short quiz to check your learning.
Co-operative identity
Understand what defines a co-operative and how its values shape the way it operates.
You will:
- Explore co-operative values and principles
- See how these are put into practice in real organisations
- Reflect on how to apply these approaches in your own work
Co-operative leadership
Develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead in a co-operative way.
You will:
- Explore leadership theories, styles, and what makes leadership distinctly co-operative.
- Learn what it means to lead in alignment with co-operative values and principles.
- Understand how to approach and manage change using co-operative methods.
- Identify and respond to the unique challenges faced by co-operative leaders.
- Explore strategy, governance, and how to prioritise member needs.
Co-operatives and the Sustainable Development Goals
Discover how co-operatives contribute to building a fairer, more sustainable world.
You will:
- Learn what the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are and how they were created
- Explore how co-operatives support the achievement of the SDGs
- Engage with global case studies and practical examples
- Examine each goal through interactive activities
Co-operatives worldwide
Take a global view of the co-operative movement, past and present.
You will:
- Explore the history of co-operatives, from Rochdale in 1844 to today
- Understand how co-operatives have developed across different regions
- Learn about the diversity of co-operative models worldwide
- Discover how a shared set of values connects over a billion members globally
Exploring international co-operative development
Examine the role of co-operatives in international development.
You will:
- Understand how co-operatives contribute to global development
- Explore their role in supporting the SDGs
- Learn about key international organisations in the sector
- Reflect on challenges faced in the Global South
- Explore the sectors where co-operatives make a difference
Power of co-operatives
Explore the wider impact and future potential of the co-operative movement.
You will:
- Understand the origins and evolution of co-operatives.
- Learn how co-operation became a worldwide movement.
- Examine how co-operatives have influenced wider movements.
- Identify key issues facing co-operatives today.
- Reflect on future opportunities and the movement’s ability to adapt and grow.
COMING SOON – Explore our full course catalogue over at Openlearn Create and begin your co-operative learning journey today.