coop:co-operatives

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-# Co-operatives+This topic is part of [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]]. 
 +====== Co-operatives ======
  
  
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-## What are co-operatives?+===== What are co-operatives? =====
  
 A co-operative (often shortened to co-op or coop) is a business owned and run by and for its members. The definition, principles and values of co-operatives are laid out by the [International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)](http://ica.coop/). A co-operative (often shortened to co-op or coop) is a business owned and run by and for its members. The definition, principles and values of co-operatives are laid out by the [International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)](http://ica.coop/).
  
-### Definition+==== Definition ====
  
 A co-operative 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. A co-operative 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.
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 <caption> <caption>
- +_The [Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers), aka the Rochdale Pioneers, who wrote down the co-operative principles in 1844; they were [updated](http://ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles) by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1966._
-The [Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochdale_Society_of_Equitable_Pioneers), aka the Rochdale Pioneers, who wrote down the co-operative principles in 1844; they were [updated](http://ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles) by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1966. +
 </caption> </caption>
  
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 </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:
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 <caption> <caption>
- +_[Suma Wholefoods Co-op](http://www.suma.coop) - the UK’s largest independent wholefood wholesaler/distributor._
-[Suma Wholefoods Co-op](http://www.suma.coop) - the UK’s largest independent wholefood wholesaler/distributor. +
 </caption> </caption>
  
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-Worker co-ops are not just employee-owned businesses – they are democratically managed by their workers. [The John Lewis Partnership](https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/work/employee-ownership.html) (including Waitrose) is a well-known employee-owned business. Employees either own shares in the company, or in a trust of some kind, which owns shares in the company (maybe all of them), and shares are not publicly traded. When the company does well, employees benefit financially. Workers have much more control in co-ops – they either make decisions directly, or decide who’s going to make them. Employee-owned businesses are fellow-travellers, however, along with [mutual societies](/buil/building_societies), although neither are true co-ops, which subscribe to the principles and values above.+Worker co-ops are not just employee-owned businesses – they are democratically managed by their workers. [The John Lewis Partnership](https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/work/employee-ownership.html) (including Waitrose) is a well-known employee-owned business. Employees either own shares in the company, or in a trust of some kind, which owns shares in the company (maybe all of them), and shares are not publicly traded. When the company does well, employees benefit financially. Workers have much more control in co-ops – they either make decisions directly, or decide who’s going to make them. Employee-owned businesses are fellow-travellers, however, along with [mutual societies](/bsoc/building_societies), although neither are true co-ops, which subscribe to the principles and values above.
  
 Structures of co-ops can vary enormously. In the UK, there is no one legal structure that co-ops have to adhere to. If an organisation’s constitution matches the above definition, values and principles, and the members consider themselves part of the co-operative movement, then they are. Elsewhere (e.g. Germany), there are much more specific definitions and legal structures. Structures of co-ops can vary enormously. In the UK, there is no one legal structure that co-ops have to adhere to. If an organisation’s constitution matches the above definition, values and principles, and the members consider themselves part of the co-operative movement, then they are. Elsewhere (e.g. Germany), there are much more specific definitions and legal structures.
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-## 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.
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-### Potential downsides+==== Potential downsides ====
  
 Compared to the [commons](/coec/commons_economy), co-ops may be less able to challenge the status quo, for the following reasons: Compared to the [commons](/coec/commons_economy), co-ops may be less able to challenge the status quo, for the following reasons:
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-## 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?
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-Plus, closely related to co-ops, you can shop with [John Lewis](https://www.johnlewis.com/) / [Waitrose](http://www.waitrose.com/), and switch your mortgage and savings account (and current account, in some cases) to a [building society](/buil/building_societies).+Plus, closely related to co-ops, you can shop with [John Lewis](https://www.johnlewis.com/) / [Waitrose](http://www.waitrose.com/), and switch your mortgage and savings account (and current account, in some cases) to a [building society](bsoc:building_societies).
  
 You can also join the [Worker Co-op Solidarity Fund](http://solidfund.coop/). Individuals can join for a pound a week, and a fund builds up to promote the co-operative movement. You can also join the [Worker Co-op Solidarity Fund](http://solidfund.coop/). Individuals can join for a pound a week, and a fund builds up to promote the co-operative movement.
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-### 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/).
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Convert to to a co-op+==== Convert to to a co-op ====
  
 Existing businesses can become co-ops. The organisations mentioned above can help you with this too. The process has to be open and voluntary – i.e. no-one should suddenly find themselves part of a co-op that they weren’t consulted about forming. Existing businesses can become co-ops. The organisations mentioned above can help you with this too. The process has to be open and voluntary – i.e. no-one should suddenly find themselves part of a co-op that they weren’t consulted about forming.
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
-- [UK Co-operative Directory](https://www.uk.coop/directory)+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:economy|Economy & finance]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/economy).
  
-- [Co-operative World Map](https://worldmap.coop/)+===== Further resources =====
  
 +- [International Co-operative Alliance](https://ica.coop/)
 +- [UK Co-operative Directory](https://www.uk.coop/directory)
 +- [Co-operative World Map](https://worldmap.coop/)
 - [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)
 +- [Co-op Culture](https://www.culture.coop/) - supporting co-ops
 +- [Catalyst Collective](https://www.catalystcollective.org/) - supporting the development of co-ops
 +- [Co-operative & Community Finance](https://coopfinance.coop/)
 +- [Co-operative College](https://www.co-op.ac.uk/)
 +- [Co-op News](https://www.thenews.coop/)
 +- [Radical Routes](https://www.radicalroutes.org.uk/) - advice, loans
 +- [South-west Co-op Development](https://www.southwest.coop/) - helping start co-ops
 +- [United Diversity](https://library.uniteddiversity.coop/Cooperatives/) - huge co-op library
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +===== Related topics =====
  
 +- [Community energy](coen:community_energy)
 +- [ROSCAs - rotating savings & credit associations](rosc:roscas)
 +- [Housing co-ops](hcoo:housing_co-operatives)
 +- [Self-employment](self:self-employment)
 +- [Platform co-ops](pltc:platform_co-ops)
 +- [Sociocracy](soci:sociocracy)
 +- [Mutual credit](mucr:mutual_credit)
 +- [Commons economy](coec:commons_economy)
 +- [Building societies](bsoc:building_societies)
 +- [Intentional communities](intc:intentional_communities)
 +- [Community](comy:community)
 +- [Fairtrade](fair:fairtrade)
 +- [Community land trusts](clts:community_land_trusts)
 +- [Credit unions](crun:credit_unions)
 +- [Independent media](indy:independent_media)
 +- [Commoning](comg:commoning)
  
  
-## Specialist(s)+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
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