Support to build and grow your co-op
Co-operative Incubator Program
NLFC’s Co-operative Incubator Program kicked off its 2026 cohort with 6 prospective co-ops. Our program is designed to empower emerging and newly incorporated co-operatives by helping build strong foundations, and eventually grow operations, while contributing to sustainable community development.
The application period is now closed
Meet Newfoundland and Labrador's newest co-ops in development
Twiga Collective Co-operative
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The Twiga Collective Co-operative will be a member-led initiative dedicated to building sustainable infrastructure for Black theatre artists in Newfoundland and Labrador. The co-operative idea was born out of Twiga’s inaugural community research in 2024, where 16 local Black creatives shared their experiences navigating the local theatre industry to help us develop our training programs. For nearly all participants, theatre felt like a closed door, which limited access to training, mentorship, leadership roles, and meaningful representation of Black stories on stage. The research also revealed a clear need for a central hub for Black theatre in the province.
Seaweed Change Island Co-operative
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Seaweed Change Islands Co-operative will focus on developing the practice of seaweed aquaculture in Hamilton Sound, Notre Dame Bay. We plan to establish a sustainable practice in the cultivation of seaweed species by starting small and re-purposing gear and infrastructure of the inshore fishery. We wish to amplify the traditional use of seaweed while incorporating selective best contemporary practices from other regions in the world. Aquaculture is now the source of 50% of all seafood consumed worldwide, with seaweed as the top two marine species cultivated. We believe that in the near future, seaweed will become one of the most significant species in our waters, and we want to prepare for this change to work in and on the sea in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Northern Legacy Arts Collective Co-operative
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Northern Legacy Arts Collective Co-operative celebrates music and art and preserves the extraordinary cultural heritage of the Great Northern Peninsula. Through the co-operative framework, we unite our communities’ rich talents, creating a vibrant network that honors traditional arts while inspiring contemporary expression. Our co-operative will ensure treasured skills are passed to future generations while providing vital creative outlets for our population, especially our youth. We believe arts and music are essential for community health and well-being and work to make it accessible.
Bonne Bay Community Co-operative
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Bonne Bay Community Co-operative is built through the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation having over 25 years of community development experience in the Bonne Bay area and further north on the Great Northern Peninsula. The idea of a community co-op arose from a well-being workshop that built on an existing age-friendly community plan. The community co-op arose as a solution to address a variety of unmet needs and will work towards: 1) a licensed childcare center, to benefit children and enable their parents to work; 2) access to local housing and health care options to enable seniors to age in place in their homes or in their community; 3) access to fresh, affordable food (ie. green vegetables) year-round; 4) other needs such as social isolation, lack of exercise programs etc.
Casey Street Commons Co-operative
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Casey Street Commons Co-operative will be an arts and sustainability hub for all members of the community in the downtown core of St. John’s operating as a non-profit co-operative. For this purpose, Casey Street Commons will purchase and restore the historic church building at 146 Casey Street. We will provide arts and sustainability focused programming including curated film and live arts programming, affordable production and rehearsal space, exhibitions, skill-sharing, and sustainability workshops. The main worship hall will be converted into flexible production and rehearsal space suitable for theatre, dance, music, meetings, social gatherings, and other live events. The lower floor will feature a fully equipped Digital Cinema Initiatives compliant microcinema. We will also operate a co-working space with regular hours, a community garden, and a bike repair station.
Wild Game Exchange Co-operative
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Wild Game Exchange Co-operative will function to involve the procurement, processing, packaging, and education of wild game meat in Newfoundland and Labrador. Wild game meat is enjoyed in the homes and businesses here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we want to make it more accessible to everyone through setting up a legal and transparent framework we will call the Wild Game Exchange. We’re building a community-based exchange that connects harvesting, processing, cutting, selling, and education whilst ensuring regulations are strictly followed, and all stakeholders benefit from the process.
Thank you to our program mentors!
Audrey Parnell, Econext
Victoria Bailey, Town of Fogo Island
Colin Holloway, Town of Clarenville
Mark Lamswood, NL Snowmobile Federation
Morris Amiri, Expertise Hub Co-operative
Andre LeBlanc, Community Sector Council of NL
Etienne Beaulieu, Horizon TNL
Jennifer Sullivan, CBDC Trinity Conception
Learn more about the program
The Co-operative Incubator Program involves two interconnected streams—Build Your Co-op and Grow Your Co-op—so groups can get support early in their co-operative development journey. Participants receive hands-on training, mentorship, and access to expert resources, helping them build the knowledge and confidence to develop, govern, and sustain their co-operatives over time.
Turn your community idea into a
co-operative reality
A a 7-month incubator program that helps emerging co-operatives develop, plan and officially incorporate.
Program dates: March-September 2026
The application period is now closed
Strengthen your co-op’s foundation and prepare for long-term success
A 3-month post-incubation program designed for newly incorporated co-ops to grow their capacity and operations.
Program dates: September-December 2026
Applications: Coming soon
Five Focus Areas for Co-operative Development
As part of our selection process for the 2026 cohort, the Co-operative Incubator Program (Build Your Co-op Stream) prioritized five focus areas where there was an identified need for co-operative development support. To be eligible, groups had to align with at least one of these areas, however, some projects spanned multiple areas.
Childcare
A co-op that aims to provide affordable and high-quality childcare and/or early childcare education services. Read the brief about childcare co-operatives in NL
Housing
A co-op that aims to provide affordable and secure housing.
Learn more about housing co-operatives | Housing co-operatives in NL
Health and Well-being
A co-op that aims to enhance health and well-being in people’s lives.
Can exist in any sector including, but not limited to: Emergency, Medical, Wellness, Fitness, Sport, Lifestyle, Social Services, Arts & Culture, and Community
Employment
A co-op that aims to create optimal working conditions and employment opportunities, or businesses that are owned by their workers. Read more about worker co-operatives
Can exist in any sector including, but not limited to: Retail, Entertainment, Food and Beverage, Tourism, Professional Services, Technology, or Trades
Environment
A co-op that aims to create a positive impact at the intersection of human activity and the natural world.
Can exist in any sector including, but not limited to: Agriculture, Food Systems, Energy, Forestry, Fishery, Lands, Transportation or Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
Answers to your questions
Q. Who can apply for the Grow Your Co-op program?
Graduates of the Build Your Co-op Incubator Program and newly incorporated co-operatives (within the past 12 months) seeking support in operations and governance. Visit the Grow page for more information.
Q. Will you be running the program again?
There is no guarantee that the program will be offered again in the future. However, with continued interest, it could be integrated into our regular programming at the NLFC. Nevertheless, we will continue to support groups interested in starting new co-operatives in the province.
Q. Can I still get help starting a new co-op?
Yes, the NLFC still provides dedicated support to all inquiries related to co-operative development in the province.
Got a question? Contact us anytime for more information.
News & Media
The NLFC Announces Co-operative Incubator Program Expansion
Published: December 8, 2025
Co-operative Incubator Program: Advancing the Growth of Co-ops in Newfoundland and Labrador
Published: May 12, 2026
Project Team
Kristen Murray
Co-operative Development Officer
[email protected]
Hadiza Bello
Project Assistant
[email protected]