Co-operatives in Transition: How Member-Driven Enterprises Are Shaping a Resilient and Inclusive Future
SEEDS is pleased to announce its contribution to the newly published OECD report Co-operatives in Transition: Anticipating the Futures Ahead (2025), released in the context of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
The report explores how co-operatives across OECD countries are responding to major structural transformations, including demographic change, digitalisation, environmental pressures and shifting local development needs. It highlights the distinctive role of co-operatives as member-driven enterprises capable of combining economic resilience with social and environmental objectives.
Asia Guerreschi (SEEDS – University of Ferrara) contributed a chapter to the report, focusing on how co-operatives are adapting their organisational models and governance structures to manage ongoing transitions while preserving their core values. The chapter emphasises the importance of place-based approaches, participatory governance and capacity-building in enabling co-operatives to remain competitive and socially embedded.
Key insights from the report show that co-operatives are:
- Strengthening local communities through territorially rooted economic activities
- Supporting intergenerational renewal and youth engagement
- Adopting digital tools in a human-centred and inclusive way
- Playing an active role in environmental and circular economy transitions
The OECD also outlines policy recommendations to better support the co-operative sector, including improved regulatory frameworks, access to finance, skills development and stronger recognition of co-operatives in public policy strategies.