Bohemian Cooperatives
From the Terraces Into the Local Economy
Bohemian Cooperatives has grown from Bohemian Football Club’s climate justice work and our tradition as a fan-owned club. We’re taking that cooperative spirit into the local economy and into climate action, so the transition is fair, practical, and opens real opportunities for members, fans, and neighbours.
Since 2021, starting with the Spark, we’ve built the habits and skills of cooperation. Now we’re moving into delivery: an ecosystem that keeps value in communities, creates decent work, and helps Dublin cut emissions while raising living standards.
Mission
To build a democratic, community-owned economy that tackles climate change and inequality together – creating decent, union-friendly jobs, lowering household costs, and keeping wealth circulating locally through cooperative enterprises and fair public procurement.
Our vision for Baile Atha Cliath
By 2035, our city becomes a leading example of community wealth building adapted to local realities…
Guided by lessons from places like Cleveland, Preston, North Ayrshire, and Amsterdam, we implement an initiative that roots ownership locally, grows decent work, and aligns climate action with everyday prosperity.
Anchor institutions partner with communities; public spending is directed for social value; and local enterprises (especially worker-and community-owned) have clear routes to start, scale, and serve their neighbourhoods.
For families, the impact is tangible: steadier jobs, lower household costs, and a fair stake in the value created where they live. What works here is practical and transferable – a blueprint that others can adopt and improve.
What is Community Wealth Building?
Community wealth building is about locals taking back control of the economy, so the value created in a place stays there and works for the people who live there.
It does this by growing worker-and community-owned enterprises, using public spending to back local suppliers, and building shared infrastructure – working with “anchor” institutions like hospitals, schools, councils, and universities.
In Dublin 7, we link this to climate action so new jobs, services, and investments from the zero-carbon transition benefit our community, not distant owners. This isn’t charity; it’s about ownership, decent work, and keeping wealth circulating locally.
This isn’t charity; it’s about ownership, decent work, and keeping wealth circulating locally.