The city of Gualeguaychú in Argentina is the latest to join a network of local councils promoting co-operative business models.
As part of the agreement, the council will work with the national confederation of co-operatives, Cooperar.
Set up in 2016, the network of co-operative councils (La Red de Municipios Cooperativos) brings together local authorities and businesses to raise awareness about co-operatives. So far, 19 local authorities have joined.
Their initiatives focus on promoting co-operative development and education, buying local co-operative products and services and making a positive contribution to people’s health and the environment.
The council will also collaborate with the federation of worker co-operatives, FECOOTRA, with whom it signed another agreement. The initiative aims to promote, develop, and consolidate co-operative models, as well as provide training, workshops and best practices for those interested in co-operatives.
Meuricio Weber, director of the Co-operatives department within the municipality of Gualeguaychú, said: “Today in Gualeguaychú, no one can dispute the quality of the workforce existing in co-operatives, our city would never discuss this.”
He added that the partnership was a step forward for the municipality, which could take advantage of Cooperar’s experience to further support co-operatives.
Related: Our coverage of the UK co-op council movement
Cristian Horton, treasurer of Cooperar, added: “This will lead to further economic and political integration, boosting local development and the growth of the solidarity model in the territory, as part of a joint collaboration between the government and local co-operatives, federations and the confederation.”
Many of the council’s public works are carried out by co-operatives, which provide jobs for some 400 families. Recently, the council commissioned the co-op Azul y Blanca to build a kitchen for local nursery Sulcito. Another co-op, El Trébol Lltda, was in charge of building concrete pathways in Haddad Square.
