Peer Networks are spaces for peer connection and collective learning around industries or topics. Explore and join USFWC Peer Networks below.
Black Cooperators
About the Peer Network: The Black Cooperators Peer Network is a space for Black people in the cooperative movement to strategize, uplift one another, and build power together. This is an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange resources, and build relationships that strengthen our collective work. This peer network is organized by the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, but you don’t have to be a member of the USFWC to join this group. Whatever your level of experience, if you are interested in collective ownership you’re welcome to join us!
How to Join: Email jamie [at] usworker [dot] coop
Co-op Academies
About the Peer Network: The Co-op Academies Peer Network is a community of practice for educators, facilitators, and other practitioners to share resources, lessons, and inspirations from worker co-op academies across the US. The network grew out of conversations of New Economy Coalition members in 2021 and became a USFWC peer network in fall 2022.
How to Join: Email academies-subscribe [at] lists [dot] usworker [dot] coop to join the email list. Reach out to maureen [at] usworker [dot] coop with any questions.
Holding Change Cooperative Consulting Peer Network
About the Peer Network: The Holding Change Peer Network aims to encourage cross pollination and collaboration among facilitators, educators, and other magical creatures that support democratic workplaces and worker cooperatives holding change. Naming inspiration from Holding Change by adrienne maree brown.
How to Join: Please fill out this short application form.
Operations & Human Resources
About the Peer Network: This Peer Network is for discussions about operations, administration, and human resources at worker co-ops and democratic workplaces. Members are invited to ask and answer questions and share resources on topics such as finances, bookkeeping, personnel policy, employee benefits, staff evaluation, hiring and firing, compliance, project management systems, office technology, and more.
How to Join: This Peer Network is only open to USFWC member or by invitation. Email finance [at] usworker [dot] coop to join the email list.
Cannabis Co-ops Peer Network
About the Peer Network: The Cannabis Co-ops Peer Network is a platform for workers starting or operating cooperative cannabis businesses to connect, learn, and organize.
How to Join: Email cannabiscoops-subscribe [at] lists [dot] usworker [dot] coop to request to join the email list.
Co-op Ecosystems
About the Peer Network: A community of practice for organizers building thriving local worker co-op ecosystems.
How to Join: The meetings are open to the public but will be facilitated primarily toward supporting USFWC members currently engaged in the work. To join the email list and Slack, please email Michael at michael [at] usworker [dot] coop with your organization and your interest.
Language Justice Co-ops
About the Peer Network: The Peer Network is made up of worker cooperatives who provide language-related services like interpretation, translation, transcription, multilingual capacity building, interpreter training and language education.
How to Join: Email membership [at] usworker [dot] coop to be added to the listserv
Tech Worker Co-ops
About the Peer Network:A community of worker-owned tech cooperatives committed to making the software, information technology, and digital media industries better for all people. The Tech Peer Network creates an alternative tech space where women, people of color and other underrepresented groups are centered. Each meeting provides space for resource sharing, group problem-solving, and organizing for change in the tech industry.
How to Join: This Peer Network is only open to USFWC members, and requires a brief application to express interest and provide basic information to the network. Please fill out this application if you are interested and eligible.
Listserv Only
Build and Design
About the Peer Network: This peer network is for worker cooperatives in the construction, solar and landscaping industries. Its goal is to encourage and facilitate the conversations that foster peer advisory and mutual aid as well as to identify programs and benefits that the USFWC could develop to support members in these industries.
How to Join: Email michael [at] usworker [dot] coop to request to join the peer network’s listserv.
Federation Partners
About the Peer Network: An invite-only community of practice for associations of three or more worker co-ops or democratic workplaces joined together for purposes of mutual aid.
How to Join: Only Federation Partner members (their staff, board, or core volunteers) are eligible to join. Members should email membership [at] usworker [dot] coop for more information.
Cooperative Booksellers Peer Network
About the Peer Network: The purpose of the Cooperative Booksellers Network is to promote mutual support and collaboration among worker and consumer owned cooperatives in the United States and around the world. We believe cooperatively owned bookstores can promote workplace democracy, sustainable local economies, and an economy that places people over profits. We come together in the spirit of the sixth Cooperative Principle which states that cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
How to Join: Email michael [at] usworker [dot] coop to request to join the peer network’s listserv and monthly meeting calendar events.
Worker Co-op Farms
About the Peer Network: The Worker Co-op Farm Peer Network is a space for worker coop farms from across the U.S. to share stories, do peer advisory, communicate, and share strategy and resources.
How to Join: Members should email membership [at] usworker [dot] coop for more information about this peer network.
Peer Networks in development:
Contact membership [at] usworker [dot] coop for questions about any of these in-development peer networks.
No Peer Networks are currently in development. Please contact the membership team at membership [at] usworker [dot] coop to discuss new peer network ideas.
Want to start a peer network?
The USFWC is always open to providing a platform and a space for members to gather together around important issues and sectors of the worker co-op community. Please contact the membership team at membership [at] usworker [dot] coop to discuss new peer network ideas.