CoOp.ie
coop.ie is the go-to place for all your queries about setting up or running a successful co-op.
In 1894, Horace Plunkett, established the co-operative movement in Ireland, and today there are hundreds of co-operatives all over the country, ranging from small community enterprises to huge global players bringing the best of quality Irish food to consumers all over the world.
Click on any of the links below to learn more about the supports available for establishing or running co-operatives in Ireland.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, the umbrella body for co-operatives in Ireland, provides unique expertise in the establishment and governance of co-operatives. Through its offices in Dublin, Brussels and Limerick, it supports its 130 member Societies to deliver on their goals.
The Plunkett Institute is the professional institute for co-operative directors in Ireland. Providing effective governance in a co-operative is as onerous and challenging as it is for any corporate entity, except in a co-operative, the board is elected from the membership, and the Plunkett Institute provides the support, guidance and development services necessary to help members to become effective directors.
ICOS Skillnet, funded by the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills, delivers high quality training and development services to ICOS member co-operatives. It delivers 6000 training days annually to co-operative employees, directors and members.
Established in the 1940’s by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited. The Trust provides small scale grants to projects that are primarily of a co-operative character and that are judged to add economic or social or environmental value to the agricultural economy or to rural society in general.