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About Cooperatives - Thinking for the future
COOPERATIVES
As Defined by the International Cooperative Alliance:
Definition
A 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.
Values Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
Principles
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership—Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control—Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation—Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members make an equity payment to join the co-op. This equity helps provide the capital needed to start and run the co-op. It pays no interest or dividends and is not a speculative investment. Members allocate surpluses (profits) for any or all of the following purposes: strengthening their cooperative, possibly by setting aside reserves; rebates to members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence—Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information—Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees, so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public— particularly young people and opinion leaders — about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives—Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7. Concern for Community—Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Source: https://ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity
