Young Cooperators Network

The Young Cooperators Network (YCN) is a UK-based, independent, peer-to-peer network whose mission is to support young cooperators and help a new generation of young people become part of the future of the co-operative sector. According to its official website, the network is built around outreach, friendship, collaboration and knowledge sharing, and it is guided by a steering group of experienced co-operators. Its activities include promoting and coordinating UK co-operative events and outreach, providing networking and learning opportunities through online talks and the Young Cooperators' Weekend, platforming young cooperators and their co-ops online, and advocating for meaningful support and opportunities for young cooperators in the UK. The network describes itself as independent and peer-to-peer, with a steering group that oversees its governance, development and projects. The steering group was initially selected to combine existing alumni members of the YCN with other experienced cooperators from the worker co-op movement, and new steering group members are chosen from within and outside the network each year. The steering group supports the Network Secretary and others in delivering the network's objectives. Named steering group members in the official material include Christopher Roseby-Bunce, a new member of Suma Wholefoods in Elland, West Yorkshire, and Dr Owen Powell, a researcher, project manager and educator at York St John University who was involved with the first iteration of the YCN and contributed to its reformation in 2020/21, as well as Martyn Johnston, co-founder and member of Chapel Street Studio. The YCN maintains a public presence through its website and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and it invites young cooperators to become members. It also organises the Young Cooperators' Weekend, an annual gathering referenced on its homepage for 2024. The network's focus is on the UK co-operative sector, connecting young people with co-ops, worker co-operatives and related organisations, and giving them a platform to share their experiences and advocate for support.

The Young Cooperators Network (YCN) is a UK network of young co-operators. According to its official website, it exists to help a new generation of young people to be part of the future co-op sector. The network's steering group was initially selected to combine existing alumni members of the YCN and other experienced cooperators from the worker co-op movement. Dr Owen Powell, a steering group member, was involved with the first iteration of the YCN and contributed to its reformation in 2020/21. The steering group oversees the governance, development and projects of the YCN, and supports the Network Secretary and others to deliver the network's objectives. New steering group members are chosen from within and outside of the network each year. The network organises the Young Cooperators' Weekend, an annual event referenced on its homepage for 2024, and provides online talks and networking opportunities. It also promotes and coordinates UK cooperative events and outreach activities, platforms young cooperators and their co-ops online, and advocates for meaningful support and opportunities for young cooperators in the UK.

• First iteration of the YCN existed; Dr Owen Powell was involved.

• Reformation of the YCN in 2020/21, with contributions from Dr Owen Powell.

• Young Cooperators' Weekend 2024 referenced on the official homepage.

Independent, peer-to-peer network for young cooperators in the UK, supported by a steering group of experienced co-operators.

1. 1Young Cooperators Network - Young Cooperators Networkycn.coop
2. 2About us - Young Cooperators Networkycn.coop
3. 3Young Cooperators Networkwikidata.org