What Is a Cooperative?

When a task feels too difficult to do alone, imagine holding hands with your friends. That is exactly what cooperatives are! A cooperative is a community of people who voluntarily come together to meet their shared economic, social, and cultural needs through solidarity. It is the business world’s embodiment of the saying “Unity brings strength.”

^{Visual representing cooperativism. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)}

Cooperatives differ slightly from other businesses. In a cooperative, the most important element is not money but people. Everyone is equal. When a decision is to be made, each member has exactly one vote, regardless of how much money they have contributed. This ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and decisions are made democratically.

The primary goal of cooperatives is not to become extremely wealthy but to improve the lives of their members. For example, farmers can join together to sell their products at better prices, or consumers can unite to access fresher and more affordable food.

^{Visual representing cooperativism. (Generated by artificial intelligence.)}

Let us turn back the clock! The first foundations of cooperativism in Türkiye date back to 1863, when “Memleket Sandıkları” were established to assist farmers.

The founder of our Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, placed great importance on cooperativism. Atatürk believed that cooperatives were the best way to raise public awareness and strengthen the economy. He even set an example for everyone by personally becoming a cooperative member.

To establish a cooperative, at least seven people must come together. These individuals sign a document called the “articles of association,” which outlines how the cooperative will be managed. They then obtain approval from the Ministry of Trade, after which the cooperative is officially established. Cooperatives can operate in nearly every field, from education and healthcare to agriculture and energy production.