Co-operative Principles:
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
1.Voluntary and Open Membership
2.Democratic Member Control
3.Member Economic Participation
4.Autonomy and Independence
5.Education, Training and Information
6.Cooperation among cooperatives
7.Concern for Community
- Voluntary and Open Membership:
– Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
- Democratic Member Control:
– Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
- Member Economic Participation:
– Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.
4.Autonomy and Independence:
– Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members.
– If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
- Education, Training and Information:
– Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives.
- Co-operation among Co-operatives:
– Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
- Concern for Community:
– Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.