Kooperatívák

Kooperatívák, often translated as cooperatives, are autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. The fundamental principles of cooperation, as defined by the International Co-operative Alliance, include voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training, and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community.

These organizations operate in a wide variety of sectors, including agriculture, retail, housing, finance, and worker-employer relations. For example, agricultural cooperatives allow farmers to pool resources for purchasing supplies, marketing produce, and processing goods, thereby gaining economies of scale and greater bargaining power. Retail cooperatives are owned by their customers, who can benefit from lower prices and a share in profits. Housing cooperatives provide affordable and accessible housing options, while credit unions are member-owned financial institutions offering banking services. Worker cooperatives are owned and managed by their employees, promoting shared decision-making and a more equitable distribution of benefits. The core idea is that members are both owners and users of the cooperative's services, creating a strong link between participation and benefit.