Create new sources of finance for co-ops

Create financial instruments and institutions tailored to the needs of the co-operative economy.

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Co-operatives need patient forms of capital without requiring control rights in exchange if they are to continue to employ capital in pursuit of enterprise, rather than capital dictating and distorting their purpose. 

Such an ecosystem can be developed by:

• Establishing a National Investment Bank
  The National Investment Bank would have a mandate to supply patient risk capital specifically to the co-operative, mutual and social enterprise sector. It would focus on scaling already medium to large co-ops, financing substantial worker buyouts, and financing the co-operatisation of existing public assets.
• Developing a new model for co-operative financing
  A new model for financing would allow the provision of non-member investment, providing capital in return for a limited return but no participation rights.
• Creating mutual guarantee societies
  Mutual guarantee societies are private guarantee institutions created by small and medium sized businesses who benefit from mutual loan guarantees and better access to finance.
• Introducing tax relief on profits reinvested in asset-locked indivisible reserves and paid into a co-op development fund
  Tax relief would incentivise common wealth creation and support new and growing co-operatives.
• Introducing a co-operative enterprise grant
  The enterprise grant would offer people facing unemployment or receiving in-work benefits the opportunity to start a co-operatively run business.
  

Tags Democratic ownership Fair finance