What makes a co-op?

What is a co-op, anyway? In this episode, Kyle, Dan, and Aasa from Co-operatives First discuss the different definitions of co-operatives, the seven co-operative principles, and the ways co-ops are different from other business models. Co-ops are often a great alternative for business development in rural and Indigenous communities, but there are fewer starting up now than in the past. We talk about why this is, and some of the misconceptions surrounding the co-op model. Links referred to in this episode: International Co-operative Alliance co-op definition: http://old.ica.coop/en/whats-co-op/co-operative-identity-values-principles Federated Co-operatives Ltd co-op definition: https://www.fcl.crs/about-us/about-cooperatives Co-operative Innovation Project: https://coopinnovation.wordpress.com/