Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN)

What Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) does

The Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) is a UK-based membership network established in 2012 that convenes local authorities committed to applying cooperative principles to public service delivery and community governance. It operates as a cross-party Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association (LGA), a status held since 2014 that provides institutional credibility and access across political affiliations. The organisation is funded primarily through modest annual membership subscriptions from its member councils, associate members, affiliate professional bodies, opposition groups, and supporters; no revenue figures, fees, or headcount are publicly disclosed.

CCIN's core offering is a portfolio of member services rather than a technology product. Its principal programmes include funded Policy Labs and Policy Prototypes (a 2025/26 budget cycle is underway), a curated Case Studies Collection of more than 650 examples contributed by member councils, CCIN-branded and partner-delivered training, and a set of named toolkits covering cooperative development, social value measurement, and local government reorganisation. The network also operates a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) procurement framework and runs programme areas on Community Wealth Building and Cooperative Placemaking. Distribution is direct: prospective Full Member councils apply and are vetted by the Values and Principles Board. CCIN is governed by an Executive Oversight Committee chaired by Cllr Paul Cassidy, with Cllr Alistair Willoughby as Acting Chair of the Values and Principles Board; Sharon Taylor OBE serves as Chair and Steve Reed OBE MP as Honorary President.

Technically, CCIN is not a software or AI company. Its digital footprint consists of a website (councils.coop) that hosts case study repositories, resource toolkits, training information, and project management content for funded initiatives, alongside email newsletters and event programmes. There is no public API, SDK, or developer platform. Recent 2025 product launches (Social Value Toolkit, Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, Tackling Barriers to Building A Cooperative Economy, Cooperative Values-Driven AI, Local Government Reorganisation Toolkit) indicate ongoing programme expansion within the UK local government vertical, which remains the sole served market.

Name

Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN)

Legal name

Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network

Website

https://councils.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) is a UK membership network of 50+ local authorities, established in 2012 as a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association, that convenes councils to share cooperative policy practice through funded Policy Labs, training, toolkits, and a 650+ case study library.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: The network is majority funded by modest membership subscriptions from its member councils, associate members, and affiliate members. This forms the primary revenue stream for operational activities, events, and project coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CCIN operates a membership-based network for UK local councils delivering cooperative policy development support. Its core offerings include funded Policy Labs and Policy Prototypes for innovation projects, a library of 650+ member case studies, training programmes, toolkits (Social Value, Cooperative Development, Local Government Reorganisation), and a Dynamic Purchasing System for procurement.

Product overview

CCIN operates as a membership network offering a portfolio of services including Policy Labs and Policy Prototypes for funded innovation projects, a Case Studies Collection (650+ examples), Training programmes (both CCIN-developed and partner-delivered), and Toolkits (Councils' Cooperative Development, Social Value, and Local Government Reorganisation). The network also provides a Dynamic Purchasing System for procurement, resources on Community Wealth Building and Cooperative Placemaking, and membership services including model motions and brand guidelines. All offerings support local authorities in implementing cooperative principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Labs and Policy Prototypes Funded project programme enabling UK member councils to develop and test cooperative policy innovations through structured Policy Labs and Policy Prototype delivery, available to Full Member Councils through an application process.
• CCIN Training Training programmes developed by CCIN to build capacity among member councils in cooperative approaches, values, and implementation.
• Partner Training Training offerings delivered by partner organisations through the CCIN network, complementing CCIN's own training portfolio.
• Councils' Cooperative Development Toolkit Comprehensive resource providing guidance for councils seeking to develop cooperative frameworks and implement cooperative principles.
• Social Value Toolkit Framework and guidance for measuring, reporting, and maximising social value in public service commissioning and procurement.
• Local Government Reorganisation Toolkit Resource supporting district councillors in adapting to new leadership roles during local government reorganisation processes.
• DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System) Procurement framework enabling member councils to access pre-approved suppliers and commissioning support.
• Membership Services Benefits package including Members' Pack, Model Motions, Brand Guidelines, and access to CCIN networks and events.
• Case Studies Collection Repository of over 650 case studies shared by member councils, organised by category, principle, and region, demonstrating cooperative council practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650+ Case Studies shared by members demonstrating cooperative implementations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Local Government Association (LGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The CCIN is registered as a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association since 2014. This affiliation provides credibility within the local government family, ensures non-political positioning, and allows both officers and members to actively participate in network activities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Co-operative Party: UK political party that originally supported CCIN's establishment and remains an ideological ally; comparable as a cooperative-movement membership organisation driving council-policy alignment from the political-influencer side.
• Centre for Public Impact: Global non-profit helping governments and councils reimagine public services through capability building and case studies; comparable in producing practitioner case studies and convening local-government innovators around new operating models.

Broad incumbents

• Local Government Association (LGA): Statutory national body for English and Welsh councils, of which CCIN is itself registered as a Special Interest Group; comparable as the umbrella membership organisation for UK local authorities and the obvious channel for shared services, training, and political representation.
• CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy): UK professional body serving public-sector finance and accounting officers; comparable in operating as a subscription-and-membership organisation serving local authorities and adjacent public bodies with training, standards, and advocacy.
• Socitm: UK membership body for local-authority digital, data and IT leaders; comparable as a subscription-funded network providing councils with training, policy briefs, and peer learning on a defined vertical specialism.

Direct peers

• SIGOMA (Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities): Largest municipal-authority SIG within LGA, with a near-identical structural model: an LGA-registered Special Interest Group funded by member subscriptions and representing a defined cohort of councils on shared policy and funding issues.
• Core Cities UK: UK-wide network of large city councils collaborating on shared economic and public service agendas; comparable as a member-funded council-led network producing policy positions, case studies, and events.
• Key Cities: UK-wide council membership network representing mid-sized cities on economic growth and devolution, with very similar model of subscriptions, working groups, and policy influence via LGA-adjacent positioning.
• APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence): Long-standing UK membership network for local authorities focused on frontline public services, training, and benchmarking; comparable in offering subscription-funded advisory, research, and events to council members.

Regional players

• iESE (Improvement and Efficiency South East): Public-sector improvement membership organisation supporting UK councils on transformation, efficiency, and shared services; comparable in mission and member-funded delivery model, though with a smaller geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/co-operative-councils'%E2%80%8B-innovation-network-ccin-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN)