CoOperative

A cooperative, or co-operative, is a member-owned and member-controlled enterprise that operates for the mutual benefit of its members. Members invest in the cooperative, share in its profits or savings, and participate in governance through elections and general meetings. In most cooperatives, voting is on the basis of one member, one vote, regardless of capital contributed, and decisions are made democratically.

Cooperatives come in many forms: consumer cooperatives that provide goods to members at affordable prices; worker cooperatives owned and managed by employees; producer cooperatives that help farmers or artisans market and process products; purchasing and housing cooperatives; and multi-stakeholder cooperatives that include workers, users, and other groups. Cooperatives can operate across sectors, including agriculture, retail, housing, finance, and health.

Historically the modern cooperative movement began in the 19th century, notably the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844 in England, which developed a set of principles that guided cooperative development. The International Cooperative Alliance has codified principles such as voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, economic participation by members, autonomy and independence, education and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for the community. Benefits cited include resilience during economic shocks, alignment with member needs, and community development; challenges include capital constraints, governance complexity, and scaling while maintaining member control. The legal form of cooperatives varies by country and sector; they may be registered under cooperative acts or special statutes and are often subject to regulatory oversight.