Bündnis junger Genossenschaften (BjG)

The Bündnis junger Genossenschaften (BjG) is a network formed by young and established housing and other cooperative initiatives in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its central purpose is to support diverse, sustainable, and socially inclusive urban environments. The network brings together cooperatives committed to creating and securing permanently affordable housing and mixed-use urban districts, particularly for households with special needs. In doing so, BjG prioritizes member welfare and community development over profit motives, aiming to serve wide segments of the population with quality and secure living spaces. Founded in 2017, the BjG now comprises around 35 to 40 member cooperatives. Collectively, these groups have already realized numerous model housing and cooperative projects across the city, demonstrating their long-standing expertise in sustainable construction, participatory processes, and neighborhood-building. The initiatives also seek to provide spaces for artists, small businesses, and social enterprises, aiming for vibrant and resilient local communities. BjG acts as a united voice for its members in public discourse and urban policy debates, advocating for better legal and economic frameworks for cooperatives. The network regularly organizes meetings to discuss project challenges and coordinate collective action. It remains open to all cooperatives—whether focused on housing, commercial, or artistic spaces—that share its vision for a commons-oriented, non-speculative, and democratic approach to city development. BjG is currently pressing for political support, especially regarding access to land and financing, to maintain and expand the cooperative share in Berlin’s housing market.