Open accesscreativecommonsEditorial reviewed/Reprint article
Published online: Dec 2023

Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Findings from a research project 

Richard Simmons and Johnston Birchall

Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 129-133

Orginally published in Journal of Co-operative Studies, 43(3), December 2010, 43-46

https://doi.org/10.61869/YAVS1611

How to cite this paper: Simmons, R. & Birchall, J. (2022). Co-operatives and poverty reduction: Findings from a research project.  Journal of Co-operative Studies, 55(1), 129-133. https://doi.org/10.61869/YAVS1611(Original work published 2010).

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of a two and a half year study1 to investigate the role and potential of co-operatives in poverty reduction. It follows an earlier article in this journal where we outlined the research agenda on these important issues (Birchall & Simmons, 2007), and is based on a longer report published by the Co-operative College (Birchall & Simmons, 2009). The article suggests that co‑operatives have significant potential for poverty reduction relative to other types of organisation, and that many co-operatives are currently helping their members to achieve more than they could on their own. It also suggests that with the right kind of support co-operatives are capable of increasing the help they are able to offer their members to escape from poverty.


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References

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UK Society for Co-operative Studies is registered in England and Wales as a charitable incorporated organisation Number 1175295. Our registered office is Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS.
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