Bündnis junger Genossenschaften (BjG)

The Bündnis junger Genossenschaften (BjG) is a coalition of Berlin-based housing and other cooperatives established in 2017. The organization unites around 33 to 38 member cooperatives, ranging from recently founded to long-standing entities such as the Selbstbaugenossenschaft Berlin, active since 1984. BjG formed to advocate for cooperative housing as a response to Berlin's ongoing challenges in providing affordable, sustainable, and community-oriented living arrangements. The primary focus of BjG is supporting the development of mixed neighborhoods with permanently affordable housing, especially for people with specific needs. Together, young and older cooperatives account for approximately 11 percent of Berlin’s housing stock. The alliance aims to maintain this share by targeting the construction of at least 20,000 new cooperative apartments in the next 15 years. BjG positions itself as both a facilitator and a representative in political discussions, striving for improved conditions in land allocation and housing policy. Examples of notable projects by member cooperatives include innovative buildings like Wohnregal and the Integrative Bauprojekt am ehemaligen Blumengroßmarkt (IBeB), which combine residential, artistic, and social uses. The organization emphasizes participatory architecture, integration of small businesses and cultural initiatives, and the formation of active communities. BjG’s operations are not profit-driven; instead, they are guided by the principles of securing affordable housing, maintaining diverse neighborhoods, and promoting cooperative self-governance. The alliance’s work is rooted in decades of practical experience and aims to ensure the long-term social benefit of cooperative models in Berlin’s urban development.