The Values That Guide Shared Ownership
At the heart of every cooperative is a set of values and principles that ensure shared power and shared prosperity.
Why Values & Principles Matter
Cooperative values and principles form the ethical foundation of shared ownership models worldwide. They ensure that enterprises remain democratic, inclusive, transparent, and community-centered—regardless of industry, size, or location.
These values and principles shape how cooperatives operate, how they make decisions, and how they share power and benefits.
They are the backbone of sustainable, people-centered economies, and they guide every aspect of GCDC’s work with communities across Georgia.
Cooperative Values
The Core Values of Cooperation
Cooperatives across the globe share a set of common values that reflect their purpose and their commitment to democratic, people-powered enterprise.
Cooperative Values Include:
Self-Help
Empowering people to improve their lives through collective action
Self-Responsibility
Recognizing the role each member plays in sustaining the cooperative.
Democracy
Ensuring that members actively participate in decision-making.
Equality
Honoring the equal worth and dignity of every member.
Equity
Striving for fair access, fair contribution, and fair distribution of value.
Solidarity
Standing with one another to build stronger communities and economies.
Ethical Values in Practice:
Cooperatives also embrace honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others— values that strengthen trust and guide community relationships.
Integrity
We act with honesty and ethical consistency in all decisions and relationships.
Our actions align with cooperative values, shared purpose, and community trust.
Transparency
We operate openly, sharing information clearly and accessibly with our members.
Decisions, finances, and governance are visible, understandable, and accountable to the collective.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions, outcomes, and commitments to one another.
Members, leaders, and partners are answerable to the cooperative and the communities we serve
The 7 Principles of Cooperatives
These seven internationally recognized principles translate cooperative values into concrete practice.
They serve as a blueprint for how cooperatives—and many shared ownership models—govern, grow, and serve their communities.
01
Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are open to all who can use their services and accept the responsibilities of membership, without discrimination.
02
Democratic Member Control
Co-ops are controlled by their members, who have equal voting rights and shape the policies and direction of the enterprise.
03
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to the capital and share in the economic results of the cooperative.
04
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives maintain democratic control even when entering agreements or partnerships.
05
Education, Training, and Information
Co-ops provide learning opportunities to strengthen member engagement, leadership, and community understanding.
06
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Co-ops strengthen the movement by working together through local, regional, national, and international networks.
07
Concern for Community
Co-ops focus on sustainable development and serving the needs of their communities.
Shared Ownership Is Rooted in Cooperative Ideals
While shared ownership includes multiple models—cooperatives, employee ownership, shared
services networks, and hybrid structures—these models share a foundation in cooperative values:
- Democratic participation
- Equitable distribution of benefits
- Transparency in governance
- Fairness and inclusion
- Community responsibility
These values ensure shared ownership enterprises remain mission-driven, people-centered, and
accountable to the communities they serve.
The 7 Cooperative Principles provide a strong framework for:
- Worker-owned cooperative governance
- Consumer and producer co-op operations
- Multi-stakeholder decision-making
- Purchasing and shared services collaborations
- Employee ownership transitions
- Platform and digital co-ops.
They help shape durable enterprises built on trust, participation, and shared prosperity
How We Teach and Apply These Principles
How GCDC Brings These Principles to Life
GCDC integrates cooperative values and principles into every training, workshop, coaching session, and technical assistance project.
We help communities apply these principles in real-world contexts such as:
governance design
member engagement
conflict transformation
leadership development
shared services creation
digital literacy and transparency
equitable decision-making
long-term sustainability planning
Our goal is to ensure that Georgia’s shared ownership enterprises are guided by clarity, purpose, and values-based leadership.
Values that Serve Georgia’s Communities
Why Values Matter to Georgia
Across Georgia—from rural towns to urban neighborhoods—cooperative values and principles
offer a foundation for:
- Inclusive economic development
- Community-led decision-making
- BIPOC/Global majority, LBGTQ+, and women-led entrepreneurship
- Small business collaboration
- Youth and creative leadership
- Resilient farming and producer networks
- Community wealth-building
- Social, financial, and environmental impact (triple bottom line)
These principles ensure shared ownership models remain accessible, equitable, and sustainable
for all Georgians.