Seven Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives 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.

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.

Cooperatives 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.

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.