There are different kinds of cooperatives, and the examples below seek to provide insight to some of the more common cooperative models. Where possible, the examples are either based in the global south, African countries, or are run by people of African descent across the world.
Explore different types of cooperatives and how they serve their members
Cooperatives owned and democratically managed by members who 'buy' together
Cooperatives owned and democratically managed by members who 'sell' together
Cooperatives owned and democratically managed by members who 'provide capital and patronage' together
Cooperatives owned and democratically managed by members who 'consume' together, such as housing, finance through credit unions, or retail goods
Cooperatives owned and democratically managed by members who 'work' together as co-workers
Cooperatives that support farmers with inputs, marketing, and processing
Learn from cooperatives that are making a difference around the world
A cocoa farmers' cooperative in Ghana that owns a share of Divine Chocolate. It demonstrates how cooperatives can integrate into global supply chains while ensuring fair returns to farmers.
A federation helping African American farmers and communities develop cooperatives and credit unions for economic development.
One of the largest worker cooperatives in the US, providing quality home care services while offering good jobs and career development.
A network of cooperatives and worker-owned democratic institutions in Jackson, Mississippi, focused on economic democracy and community development.
One of the regions with the heaviest concentration of cooperatives, where 30% of the region's GDP comes from cooperatives, mostly worker cooperatives working together in dynamic networks.
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