Training and Movement Building Tools
COPAC works with a participatory approach for the development of cooperatives. There are three stages for institutional capacity building:
- Groundwork;
- Aftercare;
- Advanced training.
This section of the website provides examples of tools that can be utilised in these various stages. In addition there is an attempt to provide links to other resources on the web to assist cooperative development. Currently South Africa does not have a dedicated and movement based cooperative college. However, COPAC has developed links with cooperative colleges in Africa and the UK. The advanced training available from these institutions is profiled on this website. Cooperators and cooperatives interested in pursuing advanced training should link with these institutions.
Groundwork Tools
The implementation of the Industrial Hives project is managed by the Ekurhuleni LED department. The LED department received just over 2000 applications from interested people. The first step was to provide information for the beneficiaries to make an informed decision; workshops were held during November, December 2003 and in January 2004.
This is a business plan for the ITEKE Waste Recycling Co-operative.
ITEKE is a community based waste collection project, in Ivory Park, Midrand. It was established in 1995 and mainly collected tin cans. It was made up of ten members, with an even balance of men and women. By 1999 ITEKE has grown to about 16 members, 8 of whom are executive members. It has expanded its activities into collecting plastics, cardboard and paper.
This business plan indicates the background information; the institutional requirements, the financial requirements and the financial prospects to develop a Wood and Steel Product Production Co-operative Ltd. in Daveyton.
Aftercare Tools
This document outlines the proposed policies and procedures for the financial operation of the New Horizons Wood and Steel Co-operative.
A Training Guide for Co-operators and Co-operative TrainersThe main objectives of the training guide are the following: Provide tools for financial management: Most co-operatives in South Africa areestablished within poor communities and under resource constraints. For theseco-operatives to survive and grow they have to be able to source capital.However, capital is only forthcoming if the
ITEKE is a community based waste collection project, in Ivory Park, Midrand. It was established in 1995 and mainly collected tin cans. It was made up of ten members, with an even balance of men and women. By 1999 ITEKE has grown to about 16 members, 8 of whom are executive members. It has expanded its activities into collecting plastics, cardboard and paper.
A Training Guide for Co-operative TrainersIn the world in which we live some people are rich while the majority are poor (workers and unemployed). The capitalist system has forced the burden of this unequal and unjust system to be carried by the poor majority.
This worker owner guide is intended to achieve the following: Serve as an education tool for old and new members to understand the cooperative; Empower worker owners to understand their rights and responsibilities in the cooperative; Set out the various policies of the co-operative that would ensure proper governance and decision-making;
Advanced training for movement building
The UK Coops College has various training programs for advanced learning. Some of these programs can be arranged as long distanced e-learning. In other cases cooperators have to arrange to visit the college or arrange for a trainer to come to the cooperative from the College. Some of the advanced training courses available to cooperatives are available on their website.