A New Chapter for Co-op Development at SPACE4

Since I started working at Outlandish and SPACE4 in 2022, we’ve been itching to run another co-op accelerator programme that builds on the work we did with Cooperate Islington in 2021. Cooperative development brings me meaning, purpose, and intellectual stimulation — not just in my professional life, but in my life full stop. Some days (admittedly not all), I genuinely believe that co-ops are the answer to our systemic problems.

And yet.

Despite my own passion, Outlandish’s long experience of pioneering the co-op movement, and the palpable positive energy around co-ops from academics, local councils, government, funders, and umbrella organisations, it’s been astonishingly hard to secure funding for the projects I’ve put my heart into.

I’ve seen (and written) too many bloated funding applications with unrealistic outputs and deliverables – written for whose benefit, I honestly don’t know. They take weeks to produce, bend the work out of shape, and more often than not… we don’t even win them.

So Maddy and I decided to stop writing applications and start taking action.

We asked ourselves: what co-op development work can we do with who we already know, and what we already have? Once we shifted our focus, everything changed. And in 2026, I’m proud to say there’s more cooperative development happening at SPACE4 than ever before.

1. Own The Future: Co-op Accelerator Programme

Alongside workers.coop, we’ll be running Own The Future, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT). It’s a nine-month accelerator programme for worker co-ops, starting in March. We received over 50 applications, which speaks to the need for specialist cooperative business advice in this country (funders if you’re reading this, take note).

But what I love most about this programme is its commitment to quality over quantity. We’ll be supporting a small cohort of five co-ops over nine months, allowing for deep mentoring and genuinely meaningful support — the kind that’s far more likely to have lasting impact.

Find out more

2. CoTech Network Coordination

CoTech is a network of 28 digital and creative co-ops across the UK that Outlandish co-founded almost ten years ago. I’ve loved being part of this network, and over the past year and a half I’ve put a lot of energy into helping it grow and evolve.

In 2025 we refreshed the CoTech brand, rebuilt the website, and relaunched the community forum. In 2026, we’re ready to start shouting — loudly — about the possibility of a genuinely cooperative digital economy.

Check out the new website

3. Monthly Co-op Business Support

First Wednesday of the month, 2-4pm

Caleb Elliott from Principle Six will be running relaxed, monthly drop-in sessions for anyone curious about starting a co-op, already running one, or somewhere in between.

These sessions are designed as open, supportive conversations, offering practical advice and peer connection on everything from governance and finance to people management, fundraising, and navigating the wider co-op support ecosystem.

Register via Eventbrite (or just turn up)

4. Monthly Networking Targeted at Coops

Last Tuesday of the month, 5-7pm

A facilitated co-operative networking session built around mutual support and ethical referrals. Instead of transactional pitching, participants come with the connections they need and actively introduce opportunities for others, using a “Givers Gain” approach that prioritises trust, reciprocity and shared success. This is as much about nurturing relationships as it is creating real opportunities across the co-op and solidarity economies.

Register via Eventbrite (or just turn up)

5. Monthly Housing Co-op Meet-Up

Third Wednesday of the month, 7-8:30pm

The UK housing system is broken — sky-high rents, runaway house prices, and very little control over where or how we live. Housing co-operatives offer a powerful alternative. This regular meet-up creates space for everyone from curious newcomers to seasoned co-op veterans to learn, share experiences, and grow the housing co-op movement together. Sessions are facilitated by members of Perennial Housing Co-op.

Register via Eventbrite (or just turn up)