This project is designed to help ethnic minority communities within Isle of Ireland and Northern Ireland to address their common needs and problems through the use of activities designed on the parameters of cooperative principles. To ensure that this plan works effectively and also due to lack of finance, a limited number of six groups will be carefully and evenly chosen at different locations within Isle of Ireland and Northern Ireland to act as pilots for the rest of the project target areas. The different activities planned will be systematically introduced. All the activities used, how and when they are used will be carefully recorded so that the information can aid in budgeting, application for finance and to provide a standard implementation design plan.

Individual members and groups of ethnic minority communities will be assisted through this project to form any of the following types of cooperatives listed below.

• Consumer Cooperative: This is the most common type of cooperative where the business is owned and provides products and services only to its members. Examples of products and services this type of cooperative provides includes; food stuffs, work implements, childcare, credit union, health care, food stores etc.

• Worker Cooperative: In this type of cooperative, the employees own and govern the business but they provide products and services not only to their members but also to the general public. Services offered by this type of cooperative are; restaurants, funeral services, taxicabs, processing companies, sewing companies etc.

• Producer Cooperatives: People who produce the same type of product can come together and form a producer cooperative so that they can combine there resources, market more effectively and facilitate better bargains from their suppliers. Such cooperatives include; farmers, craftsmen, artisans etc.

• Purchasing/Shared Services Cooperatives: These are owned and governed by independent business owners that come together for the sole purpose of collectively enhancing their purchasing power, reduction of costs and improving competitiveness and providing quality services. These can be companies, small municipalities and in some cases, state governments.

However, a group can operate more than one of these types of cooperative combined, depending on the functions that they wish to carry out as a cooperative group, the articles of association and the byelaws that govern their operations. To proceed with the implementation plans of this project, there is a structure that determines what tasks needs to be carried out, the appropriate personnel assigned, how and when each of the project team members perform their tasks and the overall coordination and network of the project activities. Also defined here is the systematic approach through which this project will be implemented with details of all the different stages and activities.

Outline Proposal

CSS propose to focus on the issue of “emerging enterprise” in ethnic communities and to develop a customized support structure for co-operative businesses. It is felt that a more coordinated approach is needed to support ethnic minority co-operative businesses. Although the proposers are aware of the need for such support, it is felt that an action research process would be the first step in assessing needs and developing an appropriate and sustainable model for the provision of such services. The action research process will also identify the action areas of such a service. The model will be tested through the establishment of a number (2) co-operative businesses as part of the action research process.

CSS propose to carry out an Action Research and Pilot Business Development initiativ

The purpose of the Action Research proposal are:

• To establish the need for a CSS type initiative, on an all Ireland basis, the type of services that will be provided and the best model for delivery of such services.
• Initiate a close project support model for a number (2) of small start-up co-op businesses from idea through feasibility, business planning to trading stage.

The research and market research process will identify the best model for such a service based on best practice in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the European Union.

The sources of ongoing funding required for such an initiative will also be identified and specific commitments from relevant agencies agreed through consultation.

The research and enterprise start-up stage will be phased over a twelve (12) month period. An Enterprise Development Team (EMT) will be established including members of CSS, an external consultant who is a recognized expert in the establishment of co-operative businesses and a representative of intertrade Ireland with financial management/business development skills. Additional external expertise will be drawn into the EMT where appropriate.

The main objectives are to:

• Increase the formation, growth and survival rates of ethnic minority co-operatives.
• Improve research, information and communication serving and promoting ethnic minority co-operatives.
• Develop market opportunities for ethnic minority co-operatives.
• Tackle the barriers ethnic minority face when bidding for contracts.

Secondary objectives include:

• Customised training to improve co-operative business skills.
• Specialist support and consultancy.
• Research
• Online community.
• Networking.
• Enabling public procurement.

• An assessment of the need for CSS type support structure carried out on an all Ireland basis.
• A model co-operative support structure established within a twelve month period based on best practice.
• At least two co-operative business enterprise assisted to start up/trading stage.
• Multi agency resources accessed for both CSS and the start-up co-operative businesses.