Royal Borough of Greenwich is paying tribute to organisations that put control back in the hands of local communities as part of Co-op Fortnight.

Co-op Fortnight, which runs from 23 June to 6 July, is an annual celebration of the co-operative movement, and this is a special year as it is also International Year of Cooperatives.  

A council spokesperson said: “Co-operatives offer a more sustainable and community-centred way to do business. Devolving power directly to communities gives them the control to grow a fair and inclusive economy from the bottom up. Co-op Fortnight is not only a great way to showcase exemplary co-operatives. It is the chance to do the crucial work with partners to expand the co-operative sector, ensure community wealth building all year round and find collaborative solutions to real life challenges.”

Royal Greenwich has a rich history of co-operatives – with the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society opening as far back as 1868 – and is a legacy which we continue today. We had the honour of hosting the Cooperative Councils’ Innovation Network Conference in February this year. Building on this, we launched Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future, which outlines our vision and commitments in three key areas: supporting new and existing co-operative start-ups and businesses, social care and community energy.    

To mark the fortnight, the Royal Borough of Greenwich will meet with Anchored in Greenwich (AIG) to agree new AIG partnership pledges. The sold-out Business and Community Breakfast on 26 June will include keynote speeches from Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) and CNT Associates to share their insights and experiences on building community resilience and economic empowerment through co-operative models.

The Business Breakfast will also be an opportunity for businesses, charities and social enterprises to find out about the Community Energy Fund (CEF), following £1 million investment. The CEF will help local people and organisations set up community projects that use clean, affordable and renewable energy – such as solar panels and wind turbines – to cut carbon emissions and lower energy bills, working towards the council’s commitment to be net zero by 2030.

Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), which started as a co-operative in 1993 and is now the UK’s largest provider of public leisure and cultural services, is also hosting its Business Week from 30 June to 5 July.   

Join the conversation on social media #CoopFortnight and give a shout out to your #CoopHeroes 

Read the recommendations made in Together for Greenwich: Co-operation for the Future: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/coop-strategy