The Bermuda Economic Development Company (BEDC) convened a two‑day workshop on June 12‑13 at the Bermuda Business Centre to educate local entrepreneurs on the cooperative business model. The event drew over 30 participants, ranging from small‑scale farmers and artisans to community‑based organisations and start‑up founders.

Through a series of interactive sessions, attendees explored the legal framework for setting up a cooperative, strategies for securing funding, and best practices for governance and member engagement. Case studies from successful Bermudian cooperatives highlighted pathways to sustainability, while breakout groups allowed participants to draft preliminary cooperative charters.

Representatives from BEDC, the Department of Housing and the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce spoke on the broader economic benefits of cooperatives, noting their potential to increase local ownership, create jobs, and foster community resilience. Many participants expressed enthusiasm for applying the workshop’s insights to their own ventures, with several already forming working groups to draft cooperative proposals.

Following the event, BEDC announced plans to publish a comprehensive guide on cooperative development and to schedule follow‑up seminars in the coming months. The initiative is part of BEDC’s ongoing effort to diversify Bermuda’s business landscape and support sustainable, community‑driven enterprises.