Community Partnerships Program

The Union Cooperative Initiative is building an economy that works for people and the planet.

We’re excited to share our new partnership with Vancity Community Foundation’s new Solidarity Economy Initiative to support the development and growth of community-focused cooperatives. This program provides low-cost, at-cost, and no-cost services to value-aligned community partners across British Columbia.

This is Mutual Aid

The UCI was launched in Vancouver, British Columbia by a coalition of labour and cooperative organizations in 2021 as a part of the solidarity economy movement. The UCI develops, incubates, and operates community-focused union cooperatives that provide sustaining, flexible, and living wage work opportunities focusing on precarious, gig, and other equity-denied workers.

Our network of 12 active union cooperatives and over 120 freelance and gig workers provide services and supports to organizations doing good work in community.

How it Works & Eligibility

The UCI and Vancity Community Foundation recognize the challenges of organizations relying on precarious grant and operational funding. Eligible organizations include:

  • Registered Non-Profits
  • Registered Charities
  • Community Service Cooperatives
  • Community Advocacy Campaigns
  • Community Engaged & Social Practice Artists
  • Small Labour Unions

Interested organizations should submit a short application here. Your application will be reviewed by a member of the UCI team. Approved organizations will be invited to the program with a monthly operations fee of $2 – $20 tied to the organizations operating budget.

Partner Cooperatives & Services

Collective Print Shop: Full-service non-profit print shop offering a range of services including textile printing, stickers, buttons, banners, and paper products. The Collective Print Shop is offering a discount ranging from 25% to 75% off market-rate print services in addition to price-matching discounts with other local print shops.

SCOOP: Stitchers Cooperative: SCOOP was launched by costume shop workers in a fabric mask making initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic theatre closures. Today, the CO-OP offers a range of services including custom locally made fabric garments including tote bags and clothing/apparel. SCOOP is offering a discount ranging from 10% to 50% off market-rate apparel manufacturing services.