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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

cooperative economy

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February 20, 2020

10 Resources on Black Liberation & Economic Democracy

Summary

A list of readings on Black liberation and economic democracy.

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May 27, 2014

Black Co-ops Were A Method of Economic Survival

Summary

Jessica Gordon-Nembhard talks about her research into the history of African-American co-ops.

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May 13, 2024

Dystopia Nepal Express

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Summary

We jumped over utopia and plunged straight into technological dystopia. We might have done things differently, but there are no do-overs. Where can we go from here?

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May 9, 2024

Liberation Economist - Part 1

Summary

GEO interviewed Mance in early 2024 hoping to better understand his work and thoughts on solidarity economy, particularly with regards to the Solidarius.net platform. The interview was conducted in Spanish, and has been edited for clarity.

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April 22, 2024

Rescuing Firms in a Co-operative Way

Summary

We have carried out an empirical study of WBOs in Italy since 1985, describing the role of two key institutions - the legal framework and the cooperative associations. WBO operations were officially recognized in 1985 by the Italian policy-maker. The research has led to establishing a sample, wider than any previously done in Italy, resulting from the analysis of data collected by the Legacoop’s Area Studi and provided by the main actors in the promotion and financing of WBOs (Cooperazione Finanza Impresa, COOPFOND, Federazione Trentina della Cooperazione) and the data published by Banca Etica and the Italian Network of Recovered Companies. This has led to being able to closely study the effectiveness and features of WBOs in Italy. We found that longer lifespans and higher rates of activity are associated with the membership of a cooperative association. The sectoral and geographic analysis confirms the conclusions of previous studies, highlighting a clear concentration of WBOs in the Central and North-Eastern regions of Italy and in the manufacturing sector. The average lifespan of the co-operatives, as well as the survival rate, proves the positive economic and social impact of WBOs in times of crisis. The findings have implications that go beyond Italy. We conclude discussing the importance of an appropriate legal framework supporting WBOs and the importance of cooperative associations, including their financial branches.

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April 4, 2024

Answering Questions from Reddit

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Josh and Chris answer questions from the r/Cooperatives subreddit.
 

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March 21, 2024

Synergies Among Fair Trade and Cooperative Economic Principles

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In our study, we introduce the concept of fair trade and explore its partnerships with cooperatives. The unique qualities and high standards of cooperative businesses are frequently highlighted and discussed, emphasizing their potential to create positive social and economic impacts.

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January 29, 2024

Scaling a Co-op Beyond 100 Members

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A look at how a worker co-op with 140 members, a flat pay scale, and no hierarchy functions.

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November 30, 2023

Artisans Cooperative: An Etsy alternative, owned and run by artists and makers

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This is a story of how the makers who create a living off their hard-earned skills, banded together to challenge this dominant business ethic, and about the cooperative they built that’s just now getting off the ground. It is a venture that aims to grow at the speed of trust to serve the makers, the customers, and the staff who run it.

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October 23, 2023

Halena Wilson - 2023 Unsung Cooperative Hero

Summary

A co-op educator and activist, Halena Wilson used her position as president of the Chicago Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters to show Black women the path to economic self-sufficiency through cooperation.