kooperativ

Kooperativ, or cooperative, is an enterprise owned and democratically controlled by the people who use its services or work there. Members participate on an equal basis, and decisions are usually made through a democratic process in which each member has one vote. Surpluses are allocated to members based on their transactions with the cooperative, rather than on capital contributions. The overarching aim is to meet members’ common economic, social, and cultural needs while maintaining autonomy from external owners.

The modern cooperative movement originated in the 19th century in Rochdale, England, where the Rochdale Principles established guidelines for how cooperatives should operate. The International Co-operative Alliance codified seven widely adopted principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for the community.

Cooperatives occur in many sectors, including consumer co-ops (retail and utilities), worker co-ops (owned by employees), producer co-ops (owned by producers), agricultural cooperatives, housing co-ops, and financial co-operatives such as credit unions and mutuals. They may operate at local, regional, national, or international levels and often collaborate across borders.

Governance is typically member-centric, with a board elected by the membership and by-laws approved by members. Capital for cooperatives is provided by members and used for development, with returns often tied to patronage rather than share value. Education and information activities are emphasized to enable informed participation, and cooperatives frequently engage in social and community initiatives.

Today, cooperatives form part of the social economy in many countries, promoting inclusion, sustainable development, and resilient local economies. Challenges include access to finance, competition with investor-owned firms, and the need to adapt to digital platforms while preserving cooperative principles.