Co-operative Group

The Co-operative Group, the UK's largest consumer co-operative rooted in 1863 principles of economic democracy, co-operative practice, and community self-help, drives funding through its Community Investment Foundation to create fairer, more resilient communities shaped by young people's voices. Core values of democracy, equality, solidarity, and social responsibility guide participatory grant-making, emphasizing unrestricted core funding, long-term partnerships, and community empowerment as equal collaborators. They believe sustainable change arises from grassroots innovation, member accountability, youth-led decision-making, and addressing root causes of inequality through inclusive, holistic approaches that amplify marginalized voices and foster social cohesion.

Funding prioritizes food insecurity relief via community kitchens and access programs tackling hunger and poverty for families in crisis; youth development for young people aged 16-25, especially justice-experienced youth and care leavers, through mentoring, employability training, after-school clubs, and educational partnerships building skills and opportunities; mental wellbeing interventions including counselling, peer support groups, and therapeutic activities for young people facing anxiety, isolation, or trauma; diversity and inclusion initiatives celebrating ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and refugees via befriending, advocacy, and cultural events; community cohesion projects strengthening social connections through outdoor activities, creative arts, and drop-in centres for isolated individuals and elderly residents; and sustainable futures via preventative community-led programs addressing environmental resilience, carer support, and family resilience. Supported models include person-centred, trauma-informed services, early intervention for at-risk children and young people, holistic peer support, and infrastructure for grassroots voluntary groups delivering outreach, training, and holistic wellbeing.

Exclusions encompass political or religious activities unless secular and open to all, statutory services, one-off events, or non-local interventions lacking community ties. Distinctive priorities favor justice-experienced young people, marginalized youth in food poverty or mental health crisis, and place-based communities near co-operative stores emphasizing rural and urban cohesion. Unique strengths lie in co-operative governance amplifying youth and resident voices, preference for community benefit societies and CICs with lived experience leadership, commitment to unrestricted long-term capacity building over short-term projects, and fusion of social justice with economic democracy for enduring empowerment.