Who and what the project needs
Legally eligible cooperatives and accountable member groups. Right-sized equipment; operator training; maintenance reserve; booking/usage records; storage and insurance.
J36 · Educational project model
Shared cooperative-service equipment
Assess shared tools or service equipment through clear ownership, booking, operation and maintenance rules. A cooperative should know who pays, who can use the asset and how repairs are funded. Compare shared ownership with hiring a reliable existing service.
How repayment or affordability should be tested
Use paid usage fees or evidenced member-service income, net of upkeep and management costs. No double counting of member savings and project revenue.
Critical risks
Weak governance, free-riding, low use, disputes and unplanned repairs can make a shared asset unusable.
What to prepare
Mandate and authority; member demand; operating rules; supplier/service quotes; conflict handling; accounts and cash-flow plan.
What to measure
Paid utilisation, downtime, reserve funding, member access and net service income.