As people-centred businesses, co-operatives are owned and run by their members, who have an equal say in what their organisation does and how it generates and uses profits.
Co-operatives are a tried-and-tested model in international development, enabling people around the world to take control over their livelihoods. Supporting the growth of co-operatives is therefore an established way to empower people and local communities to take charge of their own development, putting people before profit.
