# Co-op Bank launches business support for community enterprises - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/02/217540/ - Published: 2016-03-02T10:45:55+00:00 - Author: Melanie May **The Co-operative Bank and Co-operatives UK Today have launched a business support programme aimed at helping people start or grow co-operative or community enterprises.** [The Hive](http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/the-hive) offers online business advice and guidance, one-to-one support, peer mentoring, and group training sessions, and covers key issues including registration, membership development, and co-operative finance. Over the next three years, The Hive, with £1m funding from The Co-operative Bank, will support the development of the 7000+ existing independent co-operatives in the UK, and support new start-ups. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Niall Booker, chief executive at The Co-operative Bank said: > “The Hive can guide business people through the process of starting a co-operatively > run business, assist those wanting to convert to a co-operative, and help existing > co-ops grow. Last year we underpinned our commitment to supporting co-operative > values and ethics in the UK with the launch of our extended Ethical Policy. This > partnership brings our commitment to life by providing funding over the next three > years to launch and promote The Hive in order to provide resources and expertise > to helping existing and new co-operatives grow and flourish.” * **[Charity insolvencies set to rise under sector pressure](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/02/charity-insolvencies-set-to-rise-under-sector-pressure/)**( 2 March 2016) * **[New coins commemorate Merchant Navy sailors](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/07/new-coins-commemorate-merchant-navy-sailors/)**( 7 March 2016) * **[More FTSE 100 companies donating at least 1% to charity](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/03/09/more-ftse-100-companies-donating-at-least-1-to-charity/)**( 9 March 2016) ![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader- 2x.gif)