Building Capacity for Cooperative & shared Ownership Success

Accessible, practical programs rooted in cooperative values and community centered leadership.

Overview

Supporting Shared Ownership Across Georgia

The Georgia Cooperative Development Center (GCDC) provides comprehensive programs and services designed to help communities, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations build shared ownership enterprises grounded in cooperative values.
We offer a combination of education, technical assistance, coaching, digital literacy, and ecosystem-building to support cooperative startups, existing co-ops, shared services initiatives, and employee ownership transitions.
Our services are accessible to groups across Georgia—urban, rural, regional, and community based.

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance & Cooperative Development Support

GCDC offers hands-on technical assistance for:

Cooperative startup and formationing Costs

Shared ownership visioning

Business planning & model development

Financial planning & sustainability strategies

Equitable membership and capital structures

Governance design and democratic decision-making

Policy navigation & legal structure understanding

Conflict transformation & group agreements `

Launch planning and operational support

Coaching & Leadership Development

Coaching for Co-op Leaders, Boards & Entrepreneurs

Leadership and governance are the heart of every cooperative.
GCDC provides coaching for:

Board development and governance training

Leadership coaching for worker-owners and members

Organizational culture & communication

Conflict transformation and facilitation

Democratic process design

Youth & multigenerational leadership development

Collective decision-making tools

Education & Training

Education, Workshops & Learning Programs

Our training programs help communities understand and apply shared ownership principles in practical ways. We offer:

Co-op 101 & Shared Ownership Basics

Accessible introductions to cooperative models and values.

Governance & Democratic Leadership

Training on roles, responsibilities, transparency, and accountability.

Business & Financial Education

Budgeting, forecasting, operational planning, and financial literacy for co-ops.

Conflict Transformation & Group Agreements

Creating healthy decision-making cultures and communication norms.

Youth & Community Learning Programs

Engaging sessions for youth organizations, schools, and community groups.

On-Demand & Virtual Training

Flexible learning through online platforms and virtual sessions.

Shared Services Development

Shared Services Cooperative Development

Shared services cooperatives allow small businesses and entrepreneurs to pool resources and access essential services—such as marketing, HR, digital tools, bookkeeping, and more—at a fraction of the cost.
GCDC supports:

Community visioning

Shared services design

Membership & governance structures

Business modeling

Digital transformation

Long-term coaching and support

Digital Literacy & Transformation

Digital Literacy & Digital Transformation for Co-ops

Digital capacity is essential for cooperative success.
GCDC works with co-ops and shared ownership enterprises to strengthen:

Online presence

Digital workflow tools

Social media and communications

E-commerce capabilities

Data systems and reporting

Digital literacy skills for members and boards

Technology adoption and transition planning

Policy & Advocacy Support

Policy Education, Awareness & Advocacy

GCDC supports the broader shared ownership movement by:

Educating policymakers and stakeholders

Sharing research and best practices

Supporting local and regional shared ownership initiatives

Participating in state and national networks

Advocating for policies that support co-ops & employee ownership

Creating language and frameworks for shared ownership adoption

"This work strengthens the environment for shared ownership across Georgia. "

Ecosystem Building & Partnerships

Ecosystem Building & Statewide Collaboration

We build partnerships that strengthen Georgia’s shared ownership ecosystem, working with:

Community organizations

Universities & academic partners

Local governments

Chambers & business associations

Cooperative networks

Farmers & producer collaboratives

Anchor institutions

Funders & development agencies

"Through collaboration, we grow the pathways for shared ownership statewide."

Events, Workshops & Convenings

Events, Convenings & Learning Spaces

We host in-person and virtual events that support:

Community-based learning

Ecosystem convenings

Training for co-op leaders

Introductory and advanced workshops

Peer learning and networking

Regional cooperative development

"These events help build relationships and accelerate shared ownership innovation."

Media, Storytelling & Resources

Educational Media, Stories & Tools

Our Resource Library and media projects amplify learning through:

Videos

Podcasts

Articles & guides

Case studies

Templates & worksheets

Digital literacy materials

Stories from cooperative leaders across Georgia

"These events help build relationships and accelerate shared ownership innovation."

Ready to Work With Us?