CO-OP for Community Development
Cooperation Texas works with a variety of stakeholders to level the playing field for the development and support of worker-owned cooperatives, leveraging local resources to build a more just and sustainable economy by:
- Conducting participatory workshops in English and Spanish on the nature and benefits of worker-owned cooperatives with churches, schools and other community-based organizations, creating public support, awareness and future participants in the cooperative economy.
- Developing strategic partnerships with financial institutions and other investors to increase access to capital for workers seeking to start or grow their cooperative.
- Collaborating with professional service providers to build worker capacity in the areas of business law, marketing, accounting and management.
- Building a cooperative movement in Texas that brings together existing cooperative members and the broader community to create a more just and sustainable economy for all working people.
While all small businesses face significant challenges, particularly during the startup phase, worker co-ops face increased barriers as a result of widespread gaps in knowledge about the cooperative model and its benefits among workers, consumers, financial institutions and professional service providers. The Cooperative Opportunities Outreach Program, or “CO-OP for Community Development”, creates a more hospitable environment for worker cooperatives to thrive, addressing these barriers through education, outreach and movement building — laying the foundation for dignified jobs for working families in Texas.
If you or your organization would like to learn more about the nature and benefits of worker cooperatives, contact Kim Penna at kim@cooperationtexas.coop
