Alternative providers
Education is built into the very DNA of co-operatives in the form of the fifth Co-operative Principal. For over 100 years, the Co-operative College led the way in co-operative learning and education, for UK and international co-operators. While the College no longer provides direct learning provision, there are many other organisations in the UK and around the globe who continue to work in this area. You can find details of some of these below:
Study tours
The UK is home to a vibrant co-operative eco system full of history, heritage and a variety of co-operative enterprises, ranging in size from multi-million-pound retail co-ops to small community-based projects, and everything in between. This makes the UK the perfect location for international co-operators to visit, learn and network.
For many years the Co-operative College provided bespoke co-operative study tours for international visitors, and now we’re pleased to hand over this important aspect of co-operative learning to our sister organisation, Co-operatives UK.
Co-operatives UK is the authority on UK co-ops, helping to grow the co-operative economy by being the voice of co-operation and member ownership.
Co-operative learning provision
The International Centre for Co-operative Management (ICCM)
Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University (Halifax, Canada)
ICCM is the go-to centre for education and research on co-operative management and governance, spanning international engagement and across the diversity of the co-operative sector. Created by co-operative, credit union, and mutual enterprises to provide education and research that elevates the co-operative enterprise model, the Centre offers rigorous and dynamic opportunities to those who wish to deepen their understanding of the unique values-based, people-centred co-operative approach to business and expand the impact of their work. ICCM offers in-person and online programs including one-hour free webinars, one-day executive education events, and a three-year Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions Program.