The co-operative is a form of company founded on the principle of the Coopération. It aims as well as possible to serve the economic interests of its participants (members or members). It is distinguished in that from the Association of which the goal is related to the economic activities.

For decision makings, it rests on the democratic principle “a person = a voice”. The employees or users are thus equal in right.

International Co-operative Alliance defines a co-operative as " an autonomous association people voluntarily brought together to satisfy their aspirations and needs economic, social and cultural common by means of a company whose property is collective and where the capacity is exerted démocratiquement"

In France, among the co-operatives, one distinguishes in particular:

• co-operative of activities and employment (CAE),
• agricultural cooperative , including the forest co-operatives.
• co-operative of production, for example SCOP in France,
• co-operative of consumption,
• co-operative of credit and Microcrédit,
• co-operative of dwelling by exemle of HLM in France,
• co-operative of tradesmen,
• co-operative Beavers of self-help housing,
• the cooperative society of collective interest (SCIC).

In France, these various co-operative structures gather in the national Groupement of the co-operation (GNC).

The distinction between mutual “co-operative” and “ ” is more one difference of name and legal structure that a difference on the type of activity.

Examples

• the group Mondragon, which has production activities, of credit, teaching and research, located in the Spanish Basque Country (218 companies and 71.000 paid, from which a half are also members). It produces in particular electric household appliances under the mark Fagor;
• the group Raiffeisen, of German origin, established largely in Germany, Austria, the Benelux countries, Switzerland and maintaining in Eastern Europe. Its activity relates to in particular agriculture and the bank and the members are primarily the users;
• the Agricultural credit, 2.588 local Cases, 5,7 million members and 33.200 administrators, the largest co-operative organization in France.
• the co-operative Migros, the largest Swiss distributer of consumables;
• the co-operative Coop, the 2nd Swiss distributer of consumables.

French examples:

• Co-operative Cooperative wine cave

• of use of farm equipment (CUMA)
• Cooperative society of production (SCOP)
• the Nave
• the Chimneys Godin
• the Mutual credit, the Savings banks, the Banques Populaires and the co-operative Credit.
• Atlantic Coop

Québécois examples:

• Movement Desjardins (popular Case Desjardins) Co-operative of saving

• Network Coopsco Co-operative in school
• the Québécois movement of the Co-operative of dwelling
• Coop federate

To go further

> Download here the teaching booklet written by Jean-François Draperi, Directeur of the Center of social economy (Cestes) in Cnam, which presents the history, the examples, specificities and the practices co-operative.

See too

• Co-operation
• Company
• Mutual Association