Sovereign International Consumer Cooperative Light Great Russia

Sovereign International Consumer Cooperative

Light Great Russia

ABOUT US

What is a cooperative?

Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realise their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.

Cooperatives bring people together in a democratic and equal way. Whether the members are the customers, employees, users or residents, cooperatives are democratically managed by the ‘one member, one vote’ rule. Members share equal voting rights regardless of the amount of capital they put into the enterprise.

As businesses driven by values, not just profit, cooperatives share internationally agreed principles and act together to build a better world through cooperation. Putting fairness, equality and social justice at the heart of the enterprise, cooperatives around the world are allowing people to work together to create sustainable enterprises that generate long-term jobs and prosperity.

Cooperatives allow people to take control of their economic future and, because they are not owned by shareholders, the economic and social benefits of their activity stay in the communities where they are established. Profits generated are either reinvested in the enterprise or returned to the members.

The cooperative movement is far from being a marginal phenomenon, at least 12% of humanity is a cooperator of any of the 3 million cooperatives on earth.

Cooperative Principles

The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organisations.

Cooperatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members.

Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members.

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Cooperation among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together.

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Education, Training, and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members.

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Concern for Community

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development.

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

Cooperative values

Cooperatives are based on these values

In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of

Our Timeline

Solutions and Project Support

With our comprehensive range of solutions, project support and financing, we are committed to help people, nations and businesses in thriving across a range of industries.