Platform Cooperatives Germany eG is an organisation dedicated to fostering and supporting cooperative businesses that operate primarily through digital platforms. Based in Berlin, the group aims to create a more equitable and sustainable digital economy by promoting democratic governance, collective ownership, and community-driven decision-making.
The organisation assists in the founding and development of platform cooperatives, providing guidance on business models, decentralised governance, and community building. Their approach is rooted in the principles of cooperativism, focusing on long-term member relationships, solidarity, and collective ownership. This approach is exemplified in projects such as Circles, a universal basic income initiative on the blockchain, and SuperCoop, a cooperative supermarket where members manage operations collectively.
Platform Cooperatives Germany eG has received funding from both private organisations and the German Ministry of Economy to build an innovation network for the platform cooperatives sector. They have also collaborated with the Social Economy Berlin program and the European Social Fund to strengthen social economy businesses in Berlin.
The organisation's strategy, "rebuild co:op," aims to address the unique challenges faced by platform cooperatives, such as global membership and digital governance. By developing prototypes and gathering best practices, they seek to create a sandbox for collective learning and experimentation. Through their work, Platform Cooperatives Germany eG aims to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable economic landscape.