Multi-Stakeholder Cooperatives

“Multi-stakeholder” co-ops have become popular in recent years, but what does it really mean to bring different groups together for common ownership and governance?

Last week’s seminar with guest speaker Professor Vera Zamagni explored the various forms of value generated by Italian social cooperatives.

Cecosesola is established in Barquisimeto, capital of the state of Lara, located in the central-western region of Venezuela, as a cooperative integration organization that has been established since 1967. It is a meeting space where we make active life of more than 50 organizations, integrated into a network for the production of goods and services that brings together more than 20,000 associates from popular sectors. Through this network, we develop a wide variety of activities such as: agricultural production, small-scale agro-industrial production, funeral services, transportation, health services, financial services, mutual aid funds, distribution of foods and household items. We are made up of about 1,300 associated workers who manage daily activities through participation that is open to everyone, without hierarchical positions.

Margaret Bau of USDA Rural Development makes a presentation on the steps to start a cooperative.

A look at a multi-stakeholder cooperative with a worker-owner member class and bylaws that state neutrality toward union formation.

In this episode of All Things Co-op, Cinar, Larry and Kevin talk with John Hayes of MyCoolClass about the rise of educational platforms and online learning. My Cool Class aims to give power back to the teachers as they navigate the online teaching world and show how cooperative principles can shake up the space.

This case study analyses a multi-stakeholder network of single-stakeholder co-ops that emerged in the Colorado solar energy industry that could be a replicable model for scaling co-operative businesses despite challenges of capital access.

An interview with Cole Mannix of Old Salt Co-op, in Helmsville, Montana.

What if rather than selling out, successful businesses became community assets that put ownership and governance in the hands of workers and even consumers? Could a startup become a means of building community wealth, economic justice, and accountability over our technology?

Ebony Gustave interviews East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative Executive Director Noni Sessions for the Cooperative Journal podcast.