Co-operatives build a better world

It's International Year of Co-operatives! The theme for United Nations-designated celebration is is “Co-operatives build a better world,” so let’s talk about how they’re built.

You may know that your local Co-op is a co-operative. That sounds straightforward, but what does it mean?

• Our Co-op – with a capital ‘C’ – is both a name and a brand representing many independent co-operative associations in Western Canada that form a network and work together. We call this network the Co-operative Retailing System, or CRS. (That’s where the “crs” in Co-op websites comes from!)
• We’re Co-op, but we’re not the only co-op. The larger co-operative movement includes more than 6,000 small ‘c’ co-operative organizations in Canada and more than three million around the world.

What is a co-operative?

According to the Statement of the Co-operative Identity, 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.”

In short, a co-operative is a group of people working together towards a common purpose, but it’s still a bit more than that. It’s not what these groups do that defines them as co-operatives but how and why they do it.

All co-operatives are guided by shared values and these seven principles:

1. Voluntary and open membership
   Co-ops welcome diverse participation, free of discrimination, from those who are able to use the co-operative’s services.

2. Democratic member control
   Members participate in the governance of their co-operative and elect representatives who are accountable to the membership. 

3. Member economic participation
   Members contribute equitably to and usually receive limited compensation from their co-operative. 

4. Autonomy and independence
   Co-ops are self-governing and self-reliant, making decisions that reflect their members' needs and interests. 

5. Education, training and information
   Co-ops offer educational opportunities and share knowledge to help employees, members and the community. 

6. Co-operation among co-operatives
   Collaboration between co-operatives builds supportive networks and achieves common goals. 

7. Concern for community
   Co-ops work to improve the quality of life and address social issues where their members live and work.

Many types of co-operatives

Co-operatives can be for-profit businesses or non-profit organizations in almost any sector – retail, agriculture, finance and health are just a few examples.

Consumer co-operatives, such as your local Co-op or credit union, are owned by their members. These co-operatives are started so their members can buy their goods or services and share in the benefits of collective ownership.

There are also producer co-operatives, worker co-operatives, housing co-operatives, community service (or social) co-operatives, multi-stakeholder co-operatives and more. And although they come up when you search for co-ops online, co-operative education programs, co-op students and co-op gaming are not tied to the co-operative model.

Learn more about co-operatives in Canada

• Find a co-operative in Canada
• Co-ops 101 Fact Sheet

Shared values. Shared benefits. Co-operatives around the world have made huge impacts in their communities, and Co-op is proud to be one of them.

Want to learn more about the co-operative movement? More information is available at www.2025.coop.

Ready to join your local Co-op? Click over to co-op.crs/membership to get started.