There are now just over 24 hours for CCIN Members to submit their Case Studies for this year's printed case study pack.
Submissions are due by Noon tomorrow - please submit using the resources at www.councils.coop/case-studies...
⏱️ Policy Project Applications:
Closing date for all Policy Project submissions:
➡️ Midnight, Monday 16 March 2026
Apply here:
www.councils.coop/funded-proje...
🕛 Case Study Pack:
Deadline for inclusion in the 2026 Printed Case Study Pack:
➡️ Noon, Friday 13 March 2026
Submit your case study:
www.councils.coop/case-studies...
⚠️Important information for CCIN Members⚠️
Two major CCIN deadlines are now just days away. If your council has work to showcase or a proposal in development, this is the moment to get it submitted.
There are just 3 Days left to submit your case studies for inclusion in our 2026 Case Study Pack.
The deadline for inclusion is noon this Friday, 13 March 2026.
Don't let your hard work be missed - submit today at www.councils.coop/case-studies...
⏳ One Week to Go — Don’t Miss Your Chance to Shape the CCIN Work Programme
There’s just 1 week left to apply for funding towards a Policy Lab or Policy Prototype from the 2025/26 Budget.
Submit your application or find further information at: www.councils.coop/funded-proje...
⚠️ Case Study Submissions Due in 1 Week ⚠️
The deadline to submit case studies for our 2026 Case Study pack is next Friday, 13th March at Noon.
Further guidance and the forms to submit your case study are available at: www.councils.coop/case-studies...
Expect practical insights on what early implementation looks like, what’s working, and what other councils can take into their own preparations.
Register to attend via: www.councils.coop/event/childr...
The Families First for Children reforms are accelerating, and councils are gearing up for major change. @mutualventures.bsky.social — an Affiliate Member of CCIN — is hosting a webinar to share early Pathfinder learning from CCIN member councils Warrington Borough Council and @lewisham.gov.uk
If your council wants to be part of shaping the next phase of this work, the Policy Lab is open, collaborative, and ready for more voices.
What aspect of this agenda do you think local government most needs to tackle next?
Get involved at: www.councils.coop/project/swin...
The project is looking at:
• How councils can recognise the lifelong impact of care experience
• What meaningful protections could look like in practice
• How to embed this thinking across services and commissioning
• How lived experience can shape policy from the start
Across the country CCIN members are working together to explore what it would mean to treat Care Experience as a protected characteristic, and how that shift could drive fairer outcomes for care‑experienced people.
Find out more at www.councils.coop/project/swin...
⏱️ Policy Project Applications:
Closing date for all Policy Project submissions:
➡️ Midnight, Monday 16 March 2026
Apply here: www.councils.coop/funded-proje...
🕛 Case Study Pack:
Deadline for inclusion in the 2026 Printed Case Study Pack:
➡️ Noon, Friday 13 March 2026
Submit your case study:
www.councils.coop/case-studies...
Time Is Running Out: Final Calls for CCIN Submissions
Two major CCIN deadlines are now just days away. If your council has work to showcase or a proposal in development, this is the moment to get it submitted.
Free to attend for all CCIN Members, including refreshments and a networking lunch.
Reserve your place:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980466008....
For queries: CCINCareExperience@swindon.gov.uk
Through the Co‑operative Councils Innovation Network (CCIN), @swindoncouncil.bsky.social are hosting an interactive workshop in Birmingham next Thursday designed to help councils turn this ambition into meaningful change.
Local authorities are exploring how to better support care‑experienced people — and many are now considering how to embed Treating Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic into policy and practice.
If your council is working on something that could benefit from shared learning, wider collaboration, or a cooperative lens, we’d love to see you apply.
Deadline: 26th March
For more guidance and to apply visit www.councils.coop/funded-proje...
To support members, we recently hosted a webinar exploring the purpose of Policy Projects, what strong proposals look like, and how councils can collaborate across the Network.
The recording is now available to watch at www.councils.coop/event/ccin-p...
Every year, CCIN Policy Projects give our Network the chance to learn together, test new ideas, and put cooperative values into practice in ways that make a real difference to communities.
Applications for the 2025–26 round are now open.
How can community power tackle health inequality
Join us on 26 Feb, 12:00–13:30 as CCIN City of Westminster explore practical, people‑led approaches alongside @healthymehealthycommunities.bsky.social @liverpoolcitycouncil.bsky.social @oxfordcitycouncil.bsky.social
www.councils.coop/event/tackli...
At our Celebration of Cooperative Innovation, we explored how Community Wealth Building helps councils make every pound count for local people — boosting local economies and opening up opportunities for SMEs and community groups.
Missed it? Watch it back at www.councils.coop/event/every-...
Community Wealth Building is changing the way councils think about procurement — and the difference it makes is clear.
The aim is simple: making sure every pound of public money delivers the greatest possible benefit for local people.
Where do #coops, #buildingsocieties and #employeeownership fit into the 'impact economy'? Report from New Philanthropy Capital sparks debate with Co-operatives UK and Social Enterprise UK
www.thenews.coop/report-criti...
Want to continue the conversation and explore practical steps your local authority can take? Join us at our upcoming in‑person events in Manchester and Birmingham.
Learn more: councils.coop/events/upcoming
Policy Lab details: councils.coop/project/swindon‑policy‑lab
We also explored what cultural change looks like: leaders making time to listen, targeted apprenticeships, second‑chance housing approaches, and embedding the impact on care‑experienced people into every decision.
A key highlight was our roundtable on how young people with care experience are shaping local decision‑making. From Children in Care Councils and youth parliaments to co‑designed workshops and creative engagement, members shared powerful examples of participatory power.
This session forms a core element of our ongoing policy lab led by Swindon Council, working in cooperation with Anthony Collins, Manchester City Council, Norman Galloway Homes, @plymouthcc.bsky.social, Social adVentures. and @wigancouncil.bsky.social
As part of our Celebration of Cooperative Innovation webinar series, we brought together members and partners to explore what recognising care experience as a protected characteristic could mean for local government, organisations, and people with lived experience of care.
