Launch: The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of NI’s Co-op Sector
The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of Northern Ireland’s Co‑operative Sector.
Co‑operative Alternatives and Trademark Belfast are pleased to announce the launch of The Democratic Alternative: Unlocking the Potential of Northern Ireland’s Co‑operative Sector, a major new piece of research conducted by Sean Byers and commissioned by the Department for the Economy.
On the 29th September, the report was officially launched by the Department for the Economy Minister Archibald.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Minister Archibald said:
“This research provides clear evidence that co-operatives already make a significant contribution to our economy and communities. Importantly, it also highlights that there is considerable untapped potential to grow the sector further; increasing its contribution to economic development, community wealth building and good jobs.”
This landmark report provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of Northern Ireland’s co‑operative landscape, its scale, strengths, gaps and untapped potential. It confirms that co‑operatives already generate over £1.5bn in income, have exceptionally high membership levels, and are disproportionately rooted in communities facing disadvantage. It also shows that Northern Ireland has many of the underlying conditions for a thriving co‑operative economy, but lacks the policy, infrastructure and finance needed to unlock that potential.
The report sets out six key recommendations to strengthen and grow the sector:
Modernise co‑operative legislation to bring Northern Ireland in line with emerging UK and all‑island reforms.
Create a strategic policy framework that embeds co‑operatives within the DfE Economic Vision and regional economic planning.
Build a specialist support infrastructure so co‑operatives can access the right advice, networks and development pathways.
Improve access to tailored finance, ensuring co‑ops can start, scale and convert ownership models.
Embed co‑operative education and awareness across government, advisors, universities and communities.
Advance worker and community ownership, including pathways for business conversions and community asset development.
Responding to the report, the Minister announced a range of actions that will be taken forward by the Department. These include beginning work on a new 10-year social economy strategy, with co-operative development forming a key strand of this strategy.
Enhanced support for the sector will also include examining the legislative and regulatory framework governing co-operatives, strengthening specialist support, improving access to finance and increasing awareness and understanding of the co-operative business model.
The Minister added:
“Co-operatives are businesses rooted in our communities, and I’m delighted to be setting out today how my Department will now go forward in supporting the sector to address the barriers identified in this research and creating the conditions for future growth.”Together, these actions offer a practical route to a more inclusive, resilient and democratic economy, one where wealth is rooted locally, good jobs are created, and communities have a real stake in the future.
We are proud to share this research and look forward to working with partners across government, business and civil society to take its recommendations forward.
Please download the full research here The Democratic Alternative, Unlocking the Potential of NI’s Co op Sector | Co-operative Alternatives Resource
In the photograph: Sean Byers, Trademark, DfE Minister C. Archibald, and Tiziana O’Hara, Co-operative Alternatives at the launch of the the report in teh Assembly Building on the 29th Sept 2026.
