coop:co-operatives

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
coop:co-operatives [2025/11/12 16:45] – katjacoop:co-operatives [2025/11/12 16:51] (current) – katja
Line 32: Line 32:
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-#### Values+### Values
  
 Self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
  
-#### Principles+### Principles
  
 In 1844 in England, the [Rochdale Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers) founded a consumer co-op that started the modern co-operative movement. They produced a set of [co-operative principles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Principles) that have been amended over time, and now form the basis of the ICA’s ‘[Statement of Co-operative Identity](http://ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles)’. The seven principles are: In 1844 in England, the [Rochdale Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers) founded a consumer co-op that started the modern co-operative movement. They produced a set of [co-operative principles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Principles) that have been amended over time, and now form the basis of the ICA’s ‘[Statement of Co-operative Identity](http://ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles)’. The seven principles are:
Line 104: Line 104:
 There are over 2.6 million co-ops worldwide, with over 1 billion members and employing 250 million people. There are over 2.6 million co-ops worldwide, with over 1 billion members and employing 250 million people.
  
-### What are the benefits of co-operatives?+## What are the benefits of co-operatives?
  
 Democracy for workers and consumers: members can influence the affairs of the co-op, and the decisions that are made. The smaller the co-op, the more influence an individual member has. Democracy for workers and consumers: members can influence the affairs of the co-op, and the decisions that are made. The smaller the co-op, the more influence an individual member has.
Line 136: Line 136:
 _Unicorn Grocery in Manchester. Worker co-op; everyone gets paid the same; they own 21 acres of land just outside Manchester on which they grow a lot of the food they sell; fantastic produce and information boards; creche; they have no intention of having more than one shop, but they provide a ‘[Grow a Grocery](http://unicorn-grocery.coop/grow-a-grocery.php)’ guide to help others set up a similar co-op grocery in their own town._ _Unicorn Grocery in Manchester. Worker co-op; everyone gets paid the same; they own 21 acres of land just outside Manchester on which they grow a lot of the food they sell; fantastic produce and information boards; creche; they have no intention of having more than one shop, but they provide a ‘[Grow a Grocery](http://unicorn-grocery.coop/grow-a-grocery.php)’ guide to help others set up a similar co-op grocery in their own town._
  
-#### Potential downsides+### Potential downsides
  
 Compared to the [commons](http://lowimpact.local/categories/economy/commons-economy/), co-ops may be less able to challenge the status quo, for the following reasons: Compared to the [commons](http://lowimpact.local/categories/economy/commons-economy/), co-ops may be less able to challenge the status quo, for the following reasons:
Line 148: Line 148:
 - [more here](http://lowimpact.local/posts/what-makes-the-commons-movement-different-a-its-much-more-difficult-to-co-opt/). - [more here](http://lowimpact.local/posts/what-makes-the-commons-movement-different-a-its-much-more-difficult-to-co-opt/).
  
-### What can I do?+## What can I do?
  
-#### Support co-ops+### Support co-ops
  
 Use your local co-ops. See [here](https://www.uk.coop/directory). There are different consumer societies, of which the [Co-op Group](https://www.co-operative.coop/) is the largest. With the Co-op Group and a lot of the larger co-ops, dividends paid to members are in direct proportion to the amount of money spent. This tends to benefit those with the most money, and is therefore not ideal. Also, co-operative principles are often forgotten in large co-ops. A good guide is to ask the staff. Are they members? Do they know much about the co-op, or about co-operative principles and values? Use your local co-ops. See [here](https://www.uk.coop/directory). There are different consumer societies, of which the [Co-op Group](https://www.co-operative.coop/) is the largest. With the Co-op Group and a lot of the larger co-ops, dividends paid to members are in direct proportion to the amount of money spent. This tends to benefit those with the most money, and is therefore not ideal. Also, co-operative principles are often forgotten in large co-ops. A good guide is to ask the staff. Are they members? Do they know much about the co-op, or about co-operative principles and values?
Line 198: Line 198:
 _[Loomio](https://www.loomio.org/) is a tool developed by the Enspiral co-operative, that helps groups make decisions collectively._ _[Loomio](https://www.loomio.org/) is a tool developed by the Enspiral co-operative, that helps groups make decisions collectively._
  
-#### Set up a co-op+### Set up a co-op
  
 If you’d like to set up a co-op, there are various places you can go for help. [Co-operatives UK](https://www.uk.coop/) have lots of resources, including their business support service, [the Hive](https://www.uk.coop/the-hive/). If you’d like to set up a co-op, there are various places you can go for help. [Co-operatives UK](https://www.uk.coop/) have lots of resources, including their business support service, [the Hive](https://www.uk.coop/the-hive/).
Line 244: Line 244:
 A co-op in which all workers or consumers are members is called a fully-mutual co-op. However, co-ops can have workers or consumers who are not members. Some people may not want the responsibility of co-running a co-op, but if the business converts, they can keep their job without being a member. In that case, they won’t have a say in the decisions that affect their job. A co-op in which all workers or consumers are members is called a fully-mutual co-op. However, co-ops can have workers or consumers who are not members. Some people may not want the responsibility of co-running a co-op, but if the business converts, they can keep their job without being a member. In that case, they won’t have a say in the decisions that affect their job.
  
-### Further resources+## Further resources
  
 - [UK Co-operative Directory](https://www.uk.coop/directory) - [UK Co-operative Directory](https://www.uk.coop/directory)
Line 252: Line 252:
 - [Step-by-step guide to starting a co-op](https://www.uk.coop/start-new-co-op/start) - [Step-by-step guide to starting a co-op](https://www.uk.coop/start-new-co-op/start)
  
-### Specialist(s)+## Specialist(s)
  
 Thanks to Cath Muller of [Radical Routes](http://www.radicalroutes.org.uk/) for information. Thanks to Cath Muller of [Radical Routes](http://www.radicalroutes.org.uk/) for information.
  • coop/co-operatives.txt
  • Last modified: 2025/11/12 16:51
  • by katja