We explore the design of support for Co-based water oxidation electrocatalysts. While earth abundant metals (EAM) have adequate conductivity, they lack the porosity provided by carbon support. To alleviate this problem and make the electrode more three dimensional, we demonstrate the utility of electrodeposited metal interlayers that not only offers parallel electron conduction pathways, but also due to variation of exposed surface during electrodeposition and electronic structure which promotes electrocatalytic activity of Co₃O₄. To see the effect of parallel metal interlayer, a range of non-noble earth abundant metals are explored. Maximum OER activity is found to be with Cu-modified metal support which is attributed to its higher electrical conductivity with enhancement of OER activity about 6 times in similar condition with respect to unmodified porous carbon support. The OER activity of electrodeposited Co₃O₄ is found to have a linear relationship with electrical conductivity with electron donor metals and electron acceptor metals individually. The above understanding can be useful in increasing OER activity of the same electrocatalyst by tuning support-catalyst interaction.