Did You Know?
Co-op stores were the first supermarket chain to stock and sell Fair Trade produce?
The Co-op Bank, CIS and Smile internet bank all have strict ethical investment policies?
New Lanark is a living link with the birth of the Co-operative Movement in Scotland? With its own education officer, New Lanark offers a wide range of interesting tours, suitable for school visits.
About the co-operative movement
The co-operative movement in Britain was established in 1844, when the early pioneers came together to provide affordable services on a co-operative basis for their members. Today, the Co-operative Sector extends from banking, food-stores and agriculture, through to credit unions, housing and workers co-ops.
Values and Principles of Co-operatives
All co-operatives are governed by an internationally agreed set of values and principles.
Values: self-help; self-responsibility; democracy; equality; equity; solidarity.
Principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; economic participation; autonomy and independence, education, training and information; co-operation among co-operatives; concern for the community.
We provide a wide range of resources, support and development for those interested in exploring the benefits of the co-operative approach within all aspects of education.
Internationally
World-wide, there are estimated to be over 800 million people who's lives are involved in co-operatives. The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) is the umbrella group for all co-ops across the world, and is based in Switzerland. The ICA is the largest NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) in the world.