Co-operative and Social Enterprise Fund

What is it?

We are committed to becoming a Co-operative Council which involves devolving power to our residents.

Co-operatives operate like any other business but often have a strong and clear social ethos which directly benefits their members and the wider local community.

Who is it for?

We provide advice and support to individuals, businesses and social enterprises on developing co-operative business models. 

Support, through the Co-operative and Social Enterprise Fund (CSEF) is available through the Economic and Social Initiatives team to encourage the creation of new co-operatives and to grow existing co-operatives.

In 2021-22 the CSEF will award grants of up to £5,000 towards eligible activity.

Eligibility Criteria

The fund will support activities that build organisational capacity in areas such as:

• Operations (relating to Social Enterprise, co-operative start up, growth and development needs)
• Skills and skills utilisation
• Marketing and business development
• Governance and financial controls
• Service development and expansion
• New markets

The following are not eligible for the fund:

• Organisations that are insolvent or at risk of insolvency
• Proposals that seek to replace existing debt finance
• Proposals that relate to the ongoing delivery costs of services i.e. core costs related to the existing day-to-day running of the organisation, such as staff costs, rather than specific development activity that will positively impact on the organisation in relation to increasing its capacity, capability and sustainability
• Unincorporated associations
• Businesses outwith the Glasgow boundary

How do I apply?

Please apply for the Co-operative and Social Enterprise Fund please using the Online Application Form.  Please read the supporting documents under related documents before submitting your application form.

Before starting the online application form check that you have the undernoted documents:

Checklist:

• A copy of the governing documents adopted by your organisation (constitution, memorandum and articles of association etc).
• Your most recent audited accounts, or independently signed statement of income and expenditure
• Your most recent annual report, if applicable
• A copy of your equality and diversity policy
• A copy of a business plan/proposal relevant to your application.

If your files are larger than 3Mbs in total please Email these to us quoting your project name along with your contact details. Your form will not submit if the file size is over.

If your supporting documentation is not available electronically, please send hard copies to the address below clearly stating what they refer to:

Alan Davidson
Economic Development Manager
Glasgow City Council
Co-operative Development Unit
231 George Street
Glasgow G1 1RX

A Social Enterprise Strategy for Glasgow

Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN) have co-produced a Social Enterprise Strategy for Glasgow, 2018-2028. 

The strategy is supported by the Social Enterprise Board, which is chaired by a City Councillor and vice- chaired by a representative of GSEN.  In this way, the lead public agency in Glasgow and the representative body for the sector in the city are jointly leading in the development of the sector in Glasgow.

The Social Enterprise Board is comprised of representatives from the Council, the sector, other public agencies based in Glasgow and academia.

ekosgen Report

ekosgen have been commissioned to carry out research into the co-operative sector in Glasgow.  Read the research commissioned by Glasgow City Council on the Co-operative Sector in Glasgow below:

• Business Mapping and Needs Assessment Report