Dr. Daniel Dettling & others
Genossenschaftsverband & Zukunftsinstitut
2022
📄 Context and Background The study "Aufbruch in die WIR-Ökonomie" was published by the Genossenschaftsverband and Zukunftsinstitut on May 31, 2022. The authorship is credited to Dr. Daniel Dettling from Zukunftsinstitut, focusing on the potential of cooperatives in shaping the future of rural areas in Germany amidst significant societal and economic changes. This research highlights the alignment of cooperative principles with emerging needs for sustainability, regional development, and social cohesion. 🌱 Key Findings The study reveals that cooperatives are perceived as pivotal in fostering a sustainable, solidarity-based, and efficient economy. According to the findings, 69% of Germans believe cooperatives hold future potential, while 76% recognize them as essential problem solvers for society. The research identifies several impactful megatrends, including Neo-Ecology, Connectivity, Mobility, and Silver Society, particularly beneficial for rural areas and presenting new opportunities for cooperative business models. 🌍 Glocalization and Digitalization The trend towards "glocalization" emphasizes the connection between global and local developments, enhancing regional production and supply chains. Additionally, digitalization facilitates new living and working arrangements in rural areas, making them more appealing. Key sectors ripe for cooperative involvement include social infrastructure, housing, climate protection, mobility, local supply, agriculture, and financial services. ⚠️ Challenges Despite the potential, the study highlights challenges such as a lack of awareness about cooperatives, particularly among younger demographics, and the necessity for greater support in establishing new cooperatives. 🔍 Recommendations The authors recommend leveraging the ongoing crises for new opportunities by merging solidarity, ecological principles, and digitalization. They stress the importance of simplifying the cooperative founding process, enhancing citizen participation, and promoting diverse leadership. 💡 Implications The findings indicate that cooperatives are strategically positioned to tackle challenges related to energy transition, healthcare, digitalization, and local supply chains. However, to harness their full potential, increased awareness and support for cooperative development, especially among younger generations, is essential. The study advocates for a strategic approach that capitalizes on the strengths of cooperatives in community engagement and sustainable business models to drive innovation and resilience in rural economies across Europe.
Genossenschaftsverband & Zukunftsinstitut
Published on: 31.05.2022
Key Findings
- Cooperatives are seen as drivers of a sustainable, solidarity-based and efficient economy. 69% of Germans view cooperatives as a business form with future potential, and 76% see them as key problem solvers for society.
- The megatrends of Neo-Ecology, Connectivity, Mobility, and Silver Society are particularly impactful for rural areas and offer new opportunities for cooperative business models.
- There is a trend towards "glocalization" - connecting global and local developments. This benefits regional production and supply chains.
- Digitalization enables new forms of living and working in rural areas, making them more attractive.
- Key areas of potential for cooperatives include social infrastructure, housing/living/working, climate protection, mobility, local supply, agriculture, digitalization, financial services, cultural work, and youth engagement.
- Challenges include lack of awareness about cooperatives, especially among younger people, and the need for more support in founding new cooperatives.
- The study recommends leveraging the crisis for new opportunities, combining solidarity, ecology and digitalization, simplifying cooperative founding processes, increasing citizen participation, and fostering diverse leadership.
Authors
The study was authored by Dr. Daniel Dettling of the Zukunftsinstitut on behalf of the Genossenschaftsverband – Verband der Regionen e.V.
Methodology
The study combines trend analysis based on the Zukunftsinstitut's megatrend framework with interviews of representatives from selected cooperatives. It also incorporates data from a representative survey of 2,043 Germans conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH in January 2022.
Context and Implications
This trend study examines the potential of cooperatives in shaping the future of rural areas in Germany against the backdrop of major societal and economic shifts. It highlights how cooperative principles of self-help, self-administration, and self-responsibility align with emerging needs for regional development, sustainability, and social cohesion.
The findings suggest that cooperatives are well-positioned to address challenges in areas such as energy transition, healthcare, digitalization, and local supply chains. However, to fully realize this potential, there is a need for greater awareness, especially among younger generations, and more support for cooperative founding and development.
The study's recommendations point towards a strategic approach that leverages cooperatives' strengths in community engagement and sustainable business models to drive innovation and resilience in rural economies.