Cooperatives
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) which represents co-operatives around the world defines a co-operative as: “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.”
Co-operatives operate according to seven basic principles:
Voluntary and Open Membership;
Democratic Member Control;
Member Economic Participation;
Autonomy and Independence;
Education, Training and Information;
Co-operation Among Co-operatives; and
Concern for Community.
Are you thinking of co-op as a business model? Here is a handy Self Assessment Tool
Helpful Websites
Financing Co-ops: Series of Four Videos on Co-op Financing and Securities
In the Subscribers Only Section you will find:
- A car sharing co-op in action
- Examples of worker and health care co-ops
- A co-op feasibility study
- A study guide on co-operative concepts and processes