9:45 am - 4:00 pm 10/06/2026
43 Crescent, Salford M5 4WT, United Kingdom, Manchester
June 10th (9.45 -4.00 pm) | The University of Salford and Online
The government has pledged to double the size of the co-operative economy, recently calling for evidence about how to do this. Therefore, this event will provide a timely intervention around the emerging and vital policy area of co-operative business education and support, and propose models that align with recent drives for universities to generate start-up activity and economic growth, using a co-operative model.
The event is ideal for enterprise and entrepreneurship educators who are interested in co-operative business and co-operative ownership models and want to explore how to introduce and develop this in their practice and provision.
One of the issues we have in the field of enterprise and entrepreneurship education is that ideas about start-up are often limited and stereotyped, for example, high-end unicorn-style tech start-up ambitions, or individual creative entrepreneurs scrabbling for opportunities in low-barrier entry but highly competitive sectors such as design or fashion. The co-operative agenda offers something different – long-term and shared prosperity, resilient businesses which put people and place over profit.
The day has been shaped by and will flow around four linked questions:
1) Why co-ops? Why now?
2) What does co-operative culture and startup/development support look like in practice?
3) How does that translate into education and tools? and
4) What will participants take away into their own context?
Sessions will bring together practical examples, teaching resources and expertise, particularly through the co-operative start-up and development consultant, Mark Simmonds from Co-op Culture who will be involved throughout the day.
The face-to-face event will include a lunchtime gallery walk where artefacts/posters and opportunities related to co-ops will be displayed. Delegates could print and share activities, research, photographs, etc. There will be paper and markers available so people may list useful websites and resources throughout the day. Delegates are invited and encouraged to bring anything they would like to share.
Further details on the agenda will follow, but the day starts at 9.45 am and concludes at 4 pm, and confirmed sessions include:
Panel – Why co-ops? Why now?
Why co-operative enterprise matters in the current policy and practice landscape, facilitated by Ambarin Khan, University of Salford.
Co-operative Culture and Business Support in Practice
What supporting co-operative start-up and development looks like on the ground, where mainstream enterprise support falls short, and what educators and ecosystem actors can learn from this. Mark Simmonds, Co-op Culture
From Co-operative Practice to Enterprise Education
A practical example of embedding co-operative ownership and regenerative business thinking into undergraduate enterprise education, including lessons, tensions, and possibilities. Catherine Brentnall, Nor Yusup, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Commons-Based Frameworks and Tools for Co-operative Enterprise
A practical framework and canvas for moving beyond growth-led enterprise models, supported by global co-operative examples and teaching artefacts. Suneel Kunamaneni, University of Manchester.
Planning for Practice
What delegates will take away into their own teaching, support, or institutional context.
Sociocracy in Action
Reflection and next steps through a sociocratic dialogue. Mark Simmonds
Overall, this EEUK Exchange Event will feature a mix of speakers, workshops, resources and time to reflect and plan to equip delegates with knowledge, tools, and new contacts to catalyse and advance co-operative enterprise education and support.
The event is hybrid, and delegates can join online. A maximum of 30 places are available for the event face-to-face at the University of Salford.