BCCM study tours
The BCCM curates national and international study tours to enhance collaboration and learning in the sector. BCCM’s study tour clients include co-operative and mutual businesses, governments, non-profit organisations, consultancy organisations and researchers.
The BCCM has a strong track record of informative, purposeful and enjoyable study tours, including a European co-operative housing study tour in April 2024, as well as a tour of UK mutuals and a US East Coast study tour of social care co-operatives and mutuals, both in 2018.
The BCCM organises bespoke study tours and private briefings for your business to gain valuable insights from co-operatives and mutuals and business leaders in other parts of the world.
To discuss warmed introductions and how we can help you arrange for face-to-face meetings or virtual tours, you can contact the BCCM.
Mutual Growth Study Tour
Our upcoming Mutual Growth Tour has been designed to provide senior leaders with an in depth experience of the way European mutuals are maximising their growth potential. From bold acquisitions and diversification through to purpose driven organic growth, our selection of mutual partners offer ideas and options for Australian leaders.
This boutique tour offers Australian mutual leaders exclusive access to in-depth interactions with cooperative leaders. The BCCM has a proven track record of delivering informative and impactful study tours, including recent programs on UK mutuals and social care co-ops.
The tour will take place 31 August – 7 September 2025, and will visit London, Paris, Frankfurt and Rome.
BCCM members only tour.
Our past co-operative study tours
BCCM’s European co-operative housing study tour
BCCM’s European co-operative housing study tour in April 2024 visited Copenhagen, Vienna and Zurich, to learn about the housing co-operative model and its benefits. The tour covered a variety of affordable co-operative housing models and examined financing mechanisms that have ensured the growth of these sectors. Participants:
- Visited housing co-operatives and met with co-op housing members, heard the stories of how they were developed and got a first-hand understanding of the benefits for residents of affordable co-operative housing.
- Learned about the development of the large affordable housing co-operative sectors and the financing and legal systems that made their growth possible.
- Obtained an understanding of the societal benefits and social impact of affordable co-operative housing.
- Assessed how we can support the growth of housing co-operatives in Australia.
Read Unlocking the “Missing Middle”: Lessons from the European co-operative housing sector.
European Mutual Capital study tour
In 2019, the BCCM and Mutuo ran a European study tour for BCCM members to gain insights and learn more about accessing capital from international colleagues. Mutual executives visited a number of mutuals in the UK and the Netherlands, with experience in issuing capital instruments. Businesses met with included Nationwide Building Society (UK), Cambridge Building Society (UK) and Rabobank (NL). The group also met with UK policymakers, regulators and Barclays Bank wholesale investment team.
Australian east coast co-operatives study tour
In December 2018, The South Australian Department of Industry and Skills created an opportunity for a select group of service providers and change-makers from South Australia to learn more about how co-operatives can help transform the NDIS and aged care through innovation and new business models. The tour was curated and led by the BCCM. View the East coast co-operatives look and learn study tour.
UK study tour
In September 2018, the BCCM hosted a study tour to the UK, visiting leading public service mutuals and an East Coast Study Tour to disability, aged care, housing and health co-operatives.
Anthony’s study tour of Spain and Italy
Additionally, BCCM staff members undertake individual study tours. BCCM’s Policy and Government Affairs Manager, Anthony Taylor, shared his notes from a July 2022 study tour where he visited co-operatives in Spain and Italy.
