We have developed expertise in supporting communities to start their own cooperatives in marginalised rural areas that present harsh realities. Places where there is minimal infrastructure, such as limited or no electricity, weak or inaccessible connectivity, poor roads, limited transport and services. To these are included high unemployment, a scarcity of skills, scarce business and technology solutions, and minimal economic circulation. We understand that tasks considered simple or quick in a serviced urban setting, can take days or weeks in such contexts. We also understand that community owned business challenge South Africa’s historical inequalities.

Community centred innovative thinking and technological solutions – that are relevant and applicable to the context – are essential.

Our seeding initiatives include facilitating communities to plan, design and register their cooperatives, business operations, services and network. Training in operating the business and network is an important element, as is ongoing mentoring.

In most communities there is no existing initial investment capital, or business model to return investment capital. We therefore support communities to access seeding capital on a grant basis. For this we have professional project management skills in both private and public funding, and a proven transparent and sound track record.

Visit Our Resources page to download our Guideline to Starting a Cooperative in South Africa 2019.