In April I visited Suara, Spain’s largest services co-operative, employing over 4,000 people and with a turnover of more than 80m euros. Based in Barcelona, Suara provides a range of care and education services across Catalonia. It was formed from a merger of three care co-operatives around 10 years ago, which realised that with competition […]

Barcelona – Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy

In April 2019 I visited Barcelona to learn about recent developments in the promotion of co-operatives and the wider social economy in the City.

The Co-operative Councils Innovation Network

Last autumn Social Business International / E3M joined the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network as an affiliate member. I had attended the network’s annual conference in Croydon and came away inspired by the opportunities to work with a group of progressive councils, looking for new solutions to the challenges facing them and their communities. The councils […]

Visit from Czech Government officials exploring social value

Officials from the Czech Government visit the Uk to learn about incorporating social value in public procurement from the pioneering London Borough of Croydon