Current projects
See also the new co-operatives we've helped start up.
New ventures
Biomass renewable energy project
We are working with SAOS and South Lanarkshire Council to develop a supply chain infrastructure for wood-based biomass in South Lanarkshire.
Renewable energy co-operative
We are working with Outer Hebrides Community Energy Company Network looking at the feasibility of a secondary co-operative to serve up to six existing community enterprises interested in developing renewable energy.
Community renewable energy company
We are carrying out a feasibility study with City of Edinburgh Council into setting up a community renewable energy company.
Broadband solutions
Business planning for broadband co-operatives in Johnstone and Lochgelly. We hope to create a template business plan for broadband co-operatives in Renfrewshire and Fife and, ultimately, throughout Scotland.
Home energy distribution services
We are researching the co-operative business model energy distribution services in Fife and Perthshire, and producing a business and funding plan. Again, we hope to develop a template business plan that can be used throughout Scotland.
Bio-diesel supply chain
CDS and SAOS are working with Next Generation co-operative, researching joint venture arrangements between farmer suppliers and bio diesel plants in Rosyth.
Scottish Mutual Asset Investment Fund
We are working with Communities Scotland and The Big Lottery to develop a member-owned asset investment fund which gives co-operatives and the wider social economy the opportunity to re-invest in the sector.
Highlands and Islands Credit Union
There is growing interest in the Highland Council area in the creation of a Highland wide credit union. We are working with existing credit unions and the Highland Council to examine this proposal.
Growth and development
Ekopia
Business planning support for Ekopia's planned development of 15 acres of land for housing, offices and community facilities. Expected end capital investment: £7m-£10m. Ekopia is a community benefit co-operative based in Moray.
GreenCity Wholefoods
Business planning and technical assistance for the demolition and construction of 35,000 sq ft of new distribution premises with associated offices for GreenCity Wholefoods in Glasgow.
Highland Wholefoods
Following an intensive two day business review, CDS have been working with Highland Wholefoods to help the business achieve its growth and co-operative ambitions. We will continue working with the co-op and other specialist advisers over the next 12 months.
Community Retailing Network
Support with the growth and development of community owned retail outlets across rural Scotland.
Business growth support software
We are working with software development company, Sirius, to develop appropriate diagnostic tools which will help us to develop action plans to support client improvement.
Research and promotion
Cross-border trading
This preparatory project will identify new Scotland/N.Ireland/Ireland cross border trading opportunities which utilise the co-operative business model. The study will be an early stage research and mapping exercise which identifies business opportunities in line with European funds priority criteria.
Co-operative enterprise within education
Co-operative Education Trust Scotland has a number of exciting proposals towards which CDS will assist with funding. Each project will contribute significantly to raising awareness of co-operative enterprise Scotland-wide.
Social audit
We are researching a pilot project looking at six co-operatives across Scotland to analyse the wider social and economic benefits of the co-operative business model.
Co-operative housing ownership
We have been working with Community Self-Build Scotland to look at new equity sharing co-op models for affordable housing.
Ethnic minorities and co-operative enterprise
We are co-funding research into ethnic minority attitudes to co-operative enterprise and the scope for creation of new co-operative business in Scotland. Our partners in this are the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations and Communities Scotland.
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and co-operative growth
We are carrying out a research study to assess the potential for pro-active STUC involvement in the creation of co-operative opportunities across Scotland.