Policy Development

Our policy documents are aimed at politicians and decision makers, asking for concrete action to empower the sector. Our publications bring together the political objectives of co-operatives and mutuals in an accessible and concise manner, geared toward integration with the broader priorities of governments and politicians.

We periodically publish the UK Mutuals Manifesto. More than 60% of the recommendations in of our first Manifesto in 2010 have been adopted by the UK Government, with a tangible increase in interest in co-operative and mutual business among politicians of all political parties.

We also produced the first ever European Mutual Insurance Manifesto, which offers new ideas for pan-European policy and institutional actions in support of fair competition.

We work closely with the Australian Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, and recently co-authored a report detailing why mutuals have performed well during this unparalleled time of uncertainty.

In the past we worked with The Foundation for European Progressive Studies to publish a report on how European governments could better support co-operatives and mutuals.

Each of these documents was co-designed with the commissioning body, so that it reflected their strategic objectives, key lobbying priorities and sat easily within their relevant cultural landscape.

Reports translate the efforts of our partners into a strategic and intellectual programme that can inspire and rally action from decision makers. When we bring together sectoral views in this way, we move towards consensus. This is vital if our demands are to be seen as worthwhile for governments and regulators to adopt.


Strategic policy development can:

  • Help to build sectoral and business buy-in
  • Develop a policy ‘shopping list’ for Governments
  • Reflect the agreed strategy of the wider co-operative and mutual sector through policy priorities
  • Influence political parties to adopt pro-co-operative and mutual policy programmes


Secondary benefits:

  • Educate and inform key policy makers about co-operatives and mutuals
  • Consolidate background resources promoting co-operatives and mutuals
  • Raise the profile of the sector and businesses within it
  • Build relationships with political parties
  • Work with peak bodies and sectoral organisations to share policy ideas
  • Build a common language among different co-operatives and mutuals


For more information, please contact us.