“A co-operative is a group of people acting together to meet the common needs and aspirations of its members, sharing ownership and making decisions democratically.” Co-operative movements exist all over the world, as groups and organisations dedicated to achieving democratic trading and enterprise.
A name which we all know as a local shop or bank, is one of the single largest movements in the world, comprising over 3750 retail outlets and over 70,000 employees worldwide.
But how did this movement begin? Origins of the Co-operative movement can be traced back to the Rochdale Pioneers who formed in 1844; they are credited for founding the modern movement which we know today, as an effort against poverty and to promote equality.
The Rochdale Principles are a set of ideals for the operation of cooperatives. They were first set out in 1844 by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in Rochdale, England and have formed the basis for the principles on which co-operatives around the world continue to operate.
This enshrines democratic control over the co-operative, and how its capital is used.
Co-operative societies must be autonomous and independent.