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What is a Cooperative?

Cooperatives are member-owned and member-driven organizations formed to meet the common economic, social, or cultural needs of their members. They operate on principles of democratic governance, with each member having an equal vote, and prioritize member benefits over profit maximization.


Consumer Cooperatives: Owned by the consumers who use their services, these co-ops focus on providing high-quality goods or services at fair prices, such as grocery stores or credit unions.


Worker Cooperatives: Owned and operated by employees, worker co-ops empower staff to manage the business collectively and share in its success.


Producer Cooperatives: Formed by producers, such as farmers or artisans, these co-ops help members market their goods, purchase supplies, or access shared resources to reduce costs and increase market reach.


Housing Cooperatives: Owned by residents, housing co-ops provide affordable and secure housing by pooling resources and collectively managing the property.


Service Cooperatives: These co-ops provide specialized services, such as healthcare or utilities, to their members, ensuring quality and affordability through collective ownership.

Cooperatives align economic success with community well-being, promoting equitable growth and shared prosperity. In many cases a cooperative will choose to conduct its business in accordance with the Rochdale Principles.

The Rochdale Principles are a set of ethical guidelines and practices that define how cooperatives operate and distinguish them from other business models. They emphasize democratic governance, equality, and a focus on community well-being, forming the backbone of cooperative identity.

Here’s a description of each principle:

  1. Voluntary and Open Membership
    Cooperatives welcome anyone who can use their services and is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership. This inclusivity ensures diversity and equal access, regardless of race, gender, or beliefs.
  2. Democratic Member Control
    Cooperatives are governed democratically by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Each member typically has one vote, ensuring fairness and equality in decision-making.
  3. Member Economic Participation
    Members contribute equitably to the cooperative’s capital. Surpluses are either reinvested to improve the cooperative or returned to members in proportion to their use of the co-op’s services, rather than being distributed as profits to investors.
  4. Autonomy and Independence
    Cooperatives maintain independence and self-governance, even when engaging in partnerships or receiving outside funding. This ensures they remain accountable to their members.
  5. Education, Training, and Information
    Cooperatives educate and train their members, employees, and leaders to improve their skills and understanding of cooperative values. They also inform the public about the benefits of cooperation.
  6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
    Cooperatives work together at local, national, and international levels to strengthen the cooperative movement. By collaborating, they can better serve their members and achieve shared goals.
  7. Concern for Community
    Beyond serving their members, cooperatives actively support sustainable development and social responsibility in the communities they operate in.
    These principles promote fairness, accountability, and social impact, making cooperatives a model for ethical and sustainable business practices.