Programs > Community and Worker Ownership Program

The Community and Worker Ownership Program (CWOP) provides assistance to groups of three or more people who are interested in starting or expanding a cooperative business as a means to create quality jobs for primarily low-income individuals.

CWOP provides assistance in the following areas: assessing group or organizational skills and resources; developing a business plan and assessing the viability of a business idea; designing organizational and operational structure; accessing loan and equity financing; provision of business management and professional development workshops; and ongoing financial review and strategic planning support for a minimum of two years after the launch of a business.

CWOP follows Community Economic Development Guidelines in developing business plans and adheres to democratic cooperative principles for the structural design of worker cooperatives.

Who can apply?

• groups of 3 or more (but not exceeding 50) people who are interested in starting or expanding a business within the City of Winnipeg
• worker cooperative businesses or people interested in starting a worker cooperative
• community organizations that want to start a business that will be owned by the community
• groups that have a business idea that will help create a stronger and healthier community
• people that want to create quality jobs for their community and will employ marginalized groups (i.e. low-income people, youth at risk, new Canadians, and persons with disabilities)

CWOP is aimed at groups, where at least 50% of the members of the co-op are at or below the program cut-off according to the chart below:

*Based on 120% of Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)

For more information or to register for an orientation session, please call 927-9935.

• Asset Building Program
• Build a Business Programs

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