coopérative

A coopérative, or cooperative, is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Coops aim to provide goods or services to their members on favorable terms and to promote member participation in governance and decision making.

Cooperatives are typically governed on democratic lines, with each member usually having one vote regardless of capital contributed. They emphasize open membership, voluntary and fair participation, autonomy, education and training, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for the community. Surpluses are generally allocated to members based on their use of the cooperative rather than on capital invested.

Common types include worker cooperatives (owned and managed by employees), consumer cooperatives (owned by customers), producer cooperatives (owned by producers for marketing and processing), agricultural cooperatives, housing cooperatives, and credit unions. Coops may pursue social and environmental goals alongside financial viability, and they often operate within ecosystems of other cooperatives.

Capital and benefits: members contribute to the cooperative’s capital and may receive patronage refunds or dividends based on activity, while earnings are often reinvested to improve services or expand capacity. This structure can provide resilience and a focus on service over sheer profit.

History and influence: the Rochdale Principles, established in the 19th century in the United Kingdom, shaped modern cooperative practice and governance. Today, coopératives operate worldwide under national laws and frameworks, with many countries supporting diverse formats such as worker-owned enterprises, consumer co-ops, and multi-stakeholder organizations.