How to work together to transform the territory – Athenaeum

At a time when the founding models of the economic and social process are called into question, cooperatives are born as a feasible option for the transformation of the territory. Collaboration between these entities and city councils becomes a key tool for building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities.

An economic model rooted in the territory

Cooperatives are democratic and participatory organizations that prioritize the peace of mind and satisfaction of people and local development over profit. This makes them strategic actors for municipalities that want to foster an economic model based on proximity, solidarity and sustainability.

According to several studies, cooperatives attend the generation of stable and quality employment, as well as foster social and territorial cohesion. For this reason, numerous councils have begun to establish alliances with the cooperative fabric to promote joint initiatives.

Successful experiences in collaboration

In different municipalities of Catalonia, successful experiences have been launched that show the advantages of this model of collaboration. For example, in Barcelona, ​​the local administration has implemented various measures to foster the social and solidarity economy, such as the creation of a cooperative atlas and a specific advisory service for this sector.

In other towns, such as Manresa or Sabadell, Energy cooperative projects have been promoted that allow more democratic and sustainable management of resources. There are also experiences in the field of care of people, with service cooperatives that work together with the Administration to guarantee quality and quality care.

Proposals to strengthen collaboration

In order to strengthen and increase these synergies, it is essential that councils and cooperatives work in a framework of mutual trust and stipulate effective mechanisms of collaboration. Some proposals in this line are:

• Institutional and regulatory support: Adaptation of the municipal regulations to facilitate the public procurement of cooperatives and other entities of the social economy.
• Encouraging Intercooperation: Promote meeting spaces and collaboration networks between different cooperatives and municipal actors.
• Advice and guidance: Support programs for the creation and consolidation of cooperatives with the help of city councils.
• Promotion of participatory models: Encourage citizen participation processes that integrate cooperatives into local development decisions.

Towards a more cooperative future

Collaboration between cooperatives and municipalities not only promotes economic and social development, but also promotes a more democratic and inclusive model of governance. As more municipalities adopt these practices, you can move towards a fairer economy, resilient and focused on people.

With clear strategies and commitment on the part of all the parties involved, cooperatives and city councils can jointly transform the territory, generating a positive and lasting impact on society.