Purpose

• On the 13th February 2026, the GMCA approved high-level budget allocations to resource the implementation of the GMS Delivery Plan for the 2026/27 financial year.

• On the 27th March 2026, the GMCA approved the proposed list of economic programmes and projects and their respective budget allocations, including that of the Support for the Social Economy programme. These programmes are essential to achieving a number of end states in the GMS Delivery Plan.

• This decision is required to award contracts and/or grant funding to providers/recipients for the delivery of these programmes and projects in the 2026/27 financial year.

• The intention to make this decision was published on the GMCA Forward Plan of Key Decisions on 27/01/2026.

• The Support for the Social Economy programme was developed in response to the 2021 report of the GM Independent Inequalities Commission, which recommended that GM should create a Community Wealth Hub to support and grow co-operatives, mutuals, social and community enterprises, staffed by people from the co-operative and community sector who understand the market.

• Co-operatives UK deliver the ‘Our Business’ platform, providing the social economy with a Knowledge Hub, Community, Directory, and access to local support, while 10GM provide tailored support for the sector through Local VCSE Infrastructure Organisations in each borough to address gaps in support provision. The continuation of both programmes is essential to meeting the commitments for the sector set out in the GMS Delivery Plan, recognising its foundational role in people’s day-to-day lives and delivering the Live Well agenda. As well as supporting inclusive growth and tackling inequalities, the programme continues to strengthen the social economy, creating high-quality jobs in socially minded businesses and generating significant value to local communities.

Decision

Cooperatives UK will be awarded £401,500 in funding via a Contract for Services, and 10GM will be awarded £506,000 in funding via a Contract for Services (total: £907,500) to deliver the Support for the Social Economy programme in two Lots in the financial year 2026/27.

Alternative options considered

The high-level budget allocations to resource the implementation of the GMS Delivery Plan, approved by the GMCA on the 13th February 2026, were the result of a “zero based” budgeting process to align allocations to the delivery of the GMS and GMS Delivery Plan. The programmes and projects outlined above, including the Support for the Social Economy programme, were considered alongside a range of other programmes and projects as part of this process, taking into consideration their contribution to the delivery of the GMS - particularly the ‘A great place to do business’ workstream – and the Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework.