Cooperatives (also called co-ops) are a form of business ownership that is practiced all over the world. The most common types of cooperatives are worker-owned and consumer-owned. Most cooperatives adhere to seven principles:
Voluntary and Open Membership
Democratic Member Control
Member Economic Participation
Autonomy and Independance
Education, Training and Information
Co-operation among Co-operatives
Concern for Community
Co-ops include:
Agricultural: farms, feed suppliers, and seed banks.
Computer and Internet: ISPs, web hosting, and computer design collectives
Energy: utility companies and power providers
Financial: banks, credit unions, investors, insurers, and mortgage brokers
Food Cooperatives: health-food stores and bulk food sharing programs
Housing: housing cooperatives and intentional communities.
Visual Arts: groups of artists, both living and working together.
An educational system that enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. Includes course goals and general information. www.cce.cornell.edu
The world's largest co-operative society, with activity in a number of retail sectors, and subsidiaries in insurance, financial services and many more area (formerly known as CWS group). www.co-op.co.uk
A UK consumer co-operative active in northwestern England, offering services and products as diverse as food, furniture, travel and funerals. www.coop.co.uk
COPAC joins businesses of the cooperative movement with the United Nations, and farmers' and workers' organizations. General info on COPAC and its member organizations. www.copacgva.org
A workers' co-operative providing graphic design, exhibition stand design and 3rd sector communications services in the North East of England. www.alpha-comm.co.uk
Worker co-op providing cycle and bike equipment in Manchester, UK. Includes bicycle FAQ, online catalog, and links to bicycle groups in England. www.bicycledoctor.co.uk
Produces ostrich leather, ostrich feathers and ostrich meat, as well as providing multiplication, distribution and marketing of quality pasture and vegetable seed. www.kleinkaroo.co.za
The Cooperative Hall of Fame honors those distinguished individuals whose contributions to cooperative business have been genuinely heroic. Includes biographies of inductees and general information on the organization. www.coopheroes.org
A co-operative of skilled professionals offering a wide range of services. We undertake a range of projects harnessing the skills of individual members, and group projects utilising the specialist skills of several of our members. usura.co.uk
Electronic mailing list run by the Southampton Co-op Network to promote cooperatives. The emphasis is on UK co-ops, particularly worker co-ops. Includes links to list archives. www.totalcoverage.coop
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