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.

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- 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.