Start a new co-op: step by step

  • Inspiration
  • Preparation
  • Implementation
  • Community
  • Financial
  • Political & legal
  • Staff & organisation
  • Europe

This section of Co-operatives UK website takes you through the start-up process for setting up any type of cooperative. The six steps identified in the guide are the following:

  1. Test your business idea
  2. Is a co‑op right for your business?
  3. Finance your business
  4. Create a business plan
  5. Choose a co‑op structure
  6. Register your co‑operative
  7. After registration and ongoing support

Sometimes there are references to United Kingdom organisations and laws but most of the content is relevant for community energy projects based anywhere in Europe.

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Questions about your energy community?

Whether you don’t know where to start from or you are stuck with a specific issue in the development of your energy community, an expert can help you.