Why cooperatives and mutuals can help “build back better” post-Covid 

Diverse forms of ownership are necessary to help re-build after the Covid pandemic, says a new report. 

The Rebuilding Business for Society report–compiled by a group of co-operative and mutual trade associations–says they can play a leading role in reinvigorating communities, especially those left behind by economic or social change. 

Three key approaches outlined in the report include: 

• Creating an enabling environment for forms of business ownership beyond shareholder owners
• Providing an option for businesses that are seeking to recapitalise after the Covid pandemic to introduce employee or customer ownership, including repaying Government support out of future earnings
• Supporting community-led economic development, particularly in the hardest-hit regions, to engage local people in incubating new forms of wealth creation which would support the Government’s ambitions to “level up” different regions.

For more, read the full report here.