Cooperatives are commercial business model that is democratically controlled by its members and provides economic and social benefits. This model is implemented in many sectors worldwide and its importance is increasing. In recent years, the solidarity economy model has been increasingly widespread around the world.
In today's world, where traditional economic models are proving to be insufficient, the solidarity economy is emerging as an alternative model to capitalism and becoming the development strategy of the millennium.
The most important advantage of cooperatives is that their members are also the owners of the business. Unlike traditional business models, cooperatives are member-focused rather than profit-driven, and are managed according to the needs and expectations of their members. Some examples of advanced cooperatives that have distinguished themselves by investing in technology include:
1. Mondragon Corporation (Spain): Mondragon, which is among the largest cooperatives in the world, was founded in 1956. Currently, the cooperative with around 80,000 employees operates in many sectors such as automotive, energy, machinery, electronics, construction, and retail. It produces a wide range of products from robotics and automation systems such as Fagor Arrasate to electric vehicles and solar energy systems. In addition, its technology research centers and universities develop innovative technologies to increase the sustainability of the cooperative. www.mondragon-corporation.com
2. Coopérative Ceres (France): A cooperative that operates in high-tech agriculture and renewable energy systems. They particularly focus on developing innovative products in smart greenhouse systems, vertical farming, and soilless agriculture. www.ceres.coop
3.Arizmendi Bakery and Pizzeria (USA): Founded in San Francisco in 2000, Arizmendi Bakery brought the traditional Spanish style of baking to America. Operated under the cooperative model, the company allows all employees to become co-owners and participate in decision-making processes. Additionally, the cooperative stands out as an environmentally-friendly business by using products grown through organic and sustainable farming methods. Operating as a self-managed pizza cooperative, Arizmendi Bakery combines traditional baking techniques with modern technology to create fresh bread and pizza made from organic ingredients. www.arizmendi-bakery.org
4.CICOPA (Belgium): A federation of small and medium-sized cooperatives worldwide that come together to provide innovation and technological developments. CICOPA supports sustainability and growth of cooperatives by promoting innovation and technological developments. www.cicopa.coop
5.Rete Semi Rurali (Italy): A network of small agricultural cooperatives in Italy aiming to create a sustainable agriculture model by integrating innovative technologies into agricultural and food production processes. The cooperative also aims to support the social, economic, and environmental development of its members. Among the innovative technologies in agricultural production, RSR includes environmentally friendly technologies such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, organic fertilizer production systems, and renewable energy sources. RSR aims to create a sustainable agriculture model by reducing waste production and improving the quality of products. https://rsr.bio
"Ad ogni terreno il suo seme... a ogni sene il suo terreno" translates to "To every soil its seed...to every season its land" in English. It means that every task should be done in the right place and under appropriate conditions. "Ad ogni terreno il suo seme" is an Italian expression that can be translated to "Every field requires its own seed" in English. This expression is used to emphasize that different places have different needs and not everything can grow everywhere. It also highlights the idea that the use of the right tools and methods is necessary for the success of any task.
6.The Phone Co-op (UK): It is a UK-based cooperative telecommunications company. It was founded in 1998 and its business model is based on the principle of customer ownership. This means that all of the company's shares are owned by its customers and customers have the right to participate in the company's management. The Phone Co-op provides telephone, internet, and energy services in the UK. The cooperative's objectives include social responsibility, environmentally friendly services, democratic participation, and fair pricing. The Phone Co-op is the largest cooperative telecommunications company in the UK and collaborates with other cooperatives worldwide. It provides phone, internet, and mobile services to its customers using green energy. https://broadband.yourcoop.coop
7.Resonate (Scotland): Resonate is a music cooperative based in Scotland that provides high-quality music services and aims to protect the rights of music artists and ensure fair compensation using blockchain technology. The cooperative, which is owned and managed by its members, has a structure in which all members have equal voting rights. Resonate uses the "Stream2Own" model to provide fair compensation to music artists. This model allows music listeners to directly contribute money to artists by listening to their music tracks. The cooperative also supports many social responsibility projects that aim to eliminate unfairness in the music industry. By using blockchain technology, Resonate protects the rights of music artists and ensures fair compensation. https://resonate.coop
8.BioFachhandel (Germany): A cooperative that sells organic and sustainable food products. It offers its customers its products quickly and easily through high-tech logistics systems and online stores. BioFachhandel is a German cooperative of organic food retailers. This cooperative is an association of retailers who sell organic products. Its aim is to improve the supply and sales of organic food products, support organic farming, and promote the growth of the organic food sector. BioFachhandel contributes to the sustainable growth of the organic food sector by sharing knowledge and experience among its partners.
9.The Green Taxi Cooperative (Canada): Provides a sustainable transportation service by using electric and hybrid vehicles. The Green Taxi Cooperative is a cooperative located in the British Columbia province of Canada. This cooperative aims to provide taxi services in a sustainable manner. Only eco-friendly vehicles are used among its members, and customers also have the option to choose these vehicles. The cooperative not only offers environmentally friendly alternatives to its customers, but also supports its employees with fair wages and working conditions. The Green Taxi Cooperative works to promote sustainability in the taxi industry and set an example for the community.
10.Enercoop (France): Established in 2005, Enercoop operates as France's first energy cooperative. The company produces electricity from renewable energy sources and provides sustainable energy to consumers. Additionally, Enercoop offers various products and services to its customers to help them save energy in their homes. www.enercoop.fr
Cooperatives in Turkey and around the world are an important example of the solidarity economy model. This model embraces a management approach where collective interests are valued over individual interests, decision-making processes are democratic, and income is shared fairly. Cooperatives are particularly important in sectors such as agriculture and livestock, where small producers can come together to combine their strengths and carry out marketing activities more effectively.
The number and effectiveness of cooperatives in our country and around the world present a hopeful picture for the transition to the solidarity economy model. However, in order to make further progress, these cooperatives need to be supported and encouraged. At this point, it may be helpful for the government to provide incentives for cooperatives, such as tax advantages and financial support, especially to help small-scale businesses grow and strengthen.
The importance of cooperatives is significant in accelerating Turkey's and the world's rapid transition to the solidarity economy model. Based on good examples around the world, supporting and incentivizing cooperatives would be an important step towards a more just, sustainable, and participatory economic structure.
15/04/2023, Ankara