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Co-op Alternatives @coopalts

Co-operative Alternatives is the only body in Northern Ireland entirely devoted to developing successful co-operatives and community benefit societies.

Joined September 2013
  • Tweets 1,878
  • Following 1,125
  • Followers 1,194
536 Photos and videos
Co-op Alternatives retweeted
nibusinessinfo@nibusinessinfo
May 21
Regional Co-operative Support Programme | Supporting cooperatives in NI with mentoring, seed funding and practical guidance. Application deadline: Mon 1 June 2026 Find out more > bit.ly/3PtYZ6e @TrademarkBF | @Economy_NI | @coopalts | @nihecommunity
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Buzzing for the launch of the new Co-op Support programme on 20th May in Belfast. It’s a big moment for co‑ops here, and having you in the room helps kick this whole programme off with real momentum. Register here: shorturl.at/NqlD9 Chat to us and @TrademarkBF @Economy_NI
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
Economy NI
@Economy_NI
Apr 15
Economy Minister @CArchibald_SF has hosted an event at Parliament Buildings showcasing Northern Ireland’s social economy sector. Addressing the audience the Minister reflected on how the Department’s support for the sector has expanded significantly over the mandate, with many of those funded by @Economy_NI in attendance including representatives from social enterprises, cooperatives, employee ownership and community wealth building. She said “This event brings together some of the key partners involved in working with my Department on the social economy to share information, to learn from each other, and to get a better sense of how we can think and act collectively as a sector. We are a year into our Social Enterprise Action plan, developed in partnership with the sector through the co-design group. We keep this plan under constant review and events like this feed into our planning.”
Karen Maguire, Employee Ownership Ireland, Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Tiziana O’Hara, Cooperative Alternatives, Colin Jess, Social Enterprise NI

ALT Karen Maguire, Employee Ownership Ireland, Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Tiziana O’Hara, Cooperative Alternatives, Colin Jess, Social Enterprise NI

Minister is pictured with Charlie Fisher, Development Trusts NI; David Hunter, LEDCOM; Brian O’Neill, Enterprise North West; and Sean Byers, Trademark

ALT Minister is pictured with Charlie Fisher, Development Trusts NI; David Hunter, LEDCOM; Brian O’Neill, Enterprise North West; and Sean Byers, Trademark
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Power Station is coming to Belfast! Join us Sat 28 March at The Commons for a hopeful film about a Walthamstow street trying to go off‑grid and a conversation about what real community energy could look like in NI. Film 2pm, Q&A panel after. Tickets: imaginebelfast.com/event/pow…

POWER STATION - Imagine! Belfast

Two artists in Walthamstow set out to take their street off the grid, kickstarting a solar-powered energy revolution.

imaginebelfast.com
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
National Energy Action NI@NEANIreland
Feb 24
We are delivering our Level 3 Energy Awareness course this week to @nihecommunity, @coownershipni and @coopalts. The group is working hard calculating the consumption of electrical appliances! #Training #Energy
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New opportunities for community energy in NI with the newly published GB Energy Local Power Plan. Read more here tinyurl.com/4byzus74 @JohnSocEnt @CommEnergyNI @DrumlinCoop @FermanaghTrust @Economy_NI @socentni @GBEgovuk
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
TrademarkBelfast@TrademarkBF
Jan 7
📢🗓 Upcoming Webinar - ‘What are Co-ops?’ on Wednesday 21st Jan 2026 ONLINE from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Webinar for all, with and without co-ops’ ideas, but willing to learn more! 📎Registration Link: shorturl.at/IkaIK @Economy_NI @coopalts @BFCleanCoop
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
TrademarkBelfast@TrademarkBF
Jan 12
🌱 Across towns and cities, communities are reimagining how we co-operatively grow, distribute, and share food. Let’s cultivate a fairer system. Join us online from 6-7:30pm | Wednesday 4th Feb! Registration Link: shorturl.at/fQZyK @Economy_NI @coopalts @BFCleanCoop
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
TrademarkBelfast@TrademarkBF
Jan 12
📍Derry | Interested in co-operatives and Community Wealth Building? Join us next Friday (23rd) for a practical workshop exploring how co-operative business models create good jobs and keep power & wealth in local communities. 🔗 Register below via Eventbrite
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
National Energy Action NI@NEANIreland
12 Dec 2025
Three things we did this week: · Taught our City and Guilds course in Energy Awareness to @fermanaghomagh WRAP students in Enniskillen · Spoke at a webinar run by @coopalts and @TrademarkBF · Ran a stall at the Student Carers Event at the Downpatrick Campus @S_ERC
Image in white with a pink diagonal stripe across it and a pink frame. The text on it says: ‘Three things we did this week’ The National Energy Action Northern Ireland Logo is at the bottom right.

ALT Image in white with a pink diagonal stripe across it and a pink frame. The text on it says: ‘Three things we did this week’ The National Energy Action Northern Ireland Logo is at the bottom right.
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Our webinar series continues! Wed 10th, 6pm with Jonathan Atkinson @CarbonCoop @PeopleRetrofit Pat Austin & Nichola MacDougall @NEANIreland We’ll tackle the real challenges of fuel poverty and explore how co-ops can drive change. Register at shorturl.at/Ve38g
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We are in Newry @NMEA_WIN_NEWRY on the 3rd of December to answer any questions you may have on co-ops. Join us and discover if co-ops are for you. 👉 Register: shorturl.at/Slr2K
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Still time to join our webinar on care co‑ops, 20 Nov with Aoife Smith & Gerard Doyle exploring Irish co‑ops in care. Gerard’s paper on the @GreatCareCoop shows worker‑owned models deliver better jobs & dignity. #CareCoops #FairCare #IYC2025 Register at shorturl.at/Sb4oO

Discover, Learn and Start Co-ops - WEBINAR

Join us for a powerful and timely webinar exploring the transformative potential of care co-operatives.

eventbrite.co.uk
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
National Energy Action NI@NEANIreland
15 Nov 2025
Half of NI households told us in our @LucidTalk poll that they have reduced their use of central heating within the last 24 months due to rising energy prices and the cost of living. #FuelPoverty #ColdHomes
Photo of a young girl, possibly a student, who is wrapped in a blanket and wearing a woolly hat with a big pompom. She is sitting at a table, reading a book. A notebook is beside the book. She is clutching her hands together, since they are cold. Two yellow squares are imposed on the photo with the following text: ‘Half of NI households say they have reduced their use of central heating in their home.’ 'Polling by LucidTalk commissioned by NEA NI, 1,050 adults in Northern Ireland between 12-15 September 2025'. The LucidTalk and National Energy Action Northern Ireland logos are at the bottom right.

ALT Photo of a young girl, possibly a student, who is wrapped in a blanket and wearing a woolly hat with a big pompom. She is sitting at a table, reading a book. A notebook is beside the book. She is clutching her hands together, since they are cold. Two yellow squares are imposed on the photo with the following text: ‘Half of NI households say they have reduced their use of central heating in their home.’ 'Polling by LucidTalk commissioned by NEA NI, 1,050 adults in Northern Ireland between 12-15 September 2025'. The LucidTalk and National Energy Action Northern Ireland logos are at the bottom right.
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
John Barry@ProfJohnBarry
17 Nov 2025
Upcoming webinars on cooperatives shorturl.at/Sb4oO
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
Economy NI
@Economy_NI
29 Oct 2025
📢CONSULTATION – Definition of Social Enterprise Growing the Social Economy Sector is a priority for the Economy Minister @CArchibald_SF and making the sector sustainable is a key feature of her economic vision. In order to deliver on this, we need to ensure that funding from government is targeting social enterprises correctly. The Department is consulting on proposed definition framework that could provide clarity on what a social enterprise is, including the features which make it different from other business models. 📄Read more and respond➡️ economy-ni.gov.uk/consultati… 📅 Deadline – 23 December 2025
A graphic of the front cover of the consultation document with the Department's logo and the words 'Public Consultation - A Definition of social enterprise in Northern Ireland. October 2025'

ALT A graphic of the front cover of the consultation document with the Department's logo and the words 'Public Consultation - A Definition of social enterprise in Northern Ireland. October 2025'
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Why are co-ops still rare in Northern Ireland, and what can we do about it? Join us in the Long Gallery, Stormont, Belfast on 13th Nov 2025 for bold ideas, global insights, and practical strategies to grow the sector. Agenda registration: shorturl.at/BhJXS #Coops2025
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Co-op Alternatives retweeted
Economy NI
@Economy_NI
29 Oct 2025
Economy Minister Dr @CArchibald_SF attended Sustainable Energy Communities NI showcase event at @BcashSports, Lisburn. Speaking at the event the Minister said: “I would like to commend @AdviceNI and its partners for pioneering the Sustainable Energy Community Project, designed to empower local communities to take control of how they generate, conserve, and use energy. "By supporting communities to co-design their own energy future, we are not only creating fairer economic opportunities across the north, but also laying the foundations for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy. Read news release: adviceni.net/about/news/show… @atu_ie @coopalts @NEANIreland @CommEnergyNI

Advice NI@AdviceNI
28 Oct 2025
The Showcase Event shows how communities fight fuel poverty and take climate action! Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald praises the Sustainable Energy Community Project. Together, we create fairer opportunities! #SECNI @tnlcommunityfund
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Based in the North West? A chance to join a workshop all about co-ops. We will be at the Rath Mor centre from 11.00 on the 5th Nov. Let's talk co-ops in the NW! #coops #NorthWestNI @dhcni @PlayhouseDerry Register here shorturl.at/hAIeE
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Based in the North West? Join us at the Rath Mor Centre, Derry on 5th Nov from 11.00 to explore why co-operative works, and much more. #Coops #CommunityPower #NorthWestNI @HolywellT @enterprisenw @BBHealthForum @culturlanndoire @nerve_centre Register shorturl.at/hAIeE
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