organizationscooperatives
Cooperatives, or co-ops, are member-owned organizations that exist to serve the needs of their members rather than to maximize external profits. They are typically built on values of voluntary and open membership, democratic governance, and concern for the community. The governance model centers on one member, one vote, with members electing a board to oversee operations and set strategic direction.
Economically, cooperatives raise capital from their members and distribute the surplus generated by the business in
Cooperatives operate in diverse sectors, including agriculture (producer co-ops), consumer co-ops, credit unions, housing cooperatives, worker-owned
The cooperative movement is guided by internationally recognized principles, such as voluntary and open membership, democratic