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Spain: Cooperatives as a means for social inclusion
Cooperatives are taking on a leading role in Spain's third sector, not only as a third sector reality but as a means of acheiving social goals
di Ges
Co-operatives are increasingly present in Spain and are widening the range of their activities. In 2003 there were more than 4,000 agriculture-related co-operatives, even if in reality this represents only a small part of the cooperative reality – there are also co-operatives related to savings and loans, to housing, services, transport, tourism, etc. In many cases co-operatives have also become a tool used by the social sector for their work in matters like inclusion, empowerment, charity-economy and environment and sustainable agriculture.
Particularly significant examples of this commitment can be found in Catalan co-operatives like Coop 57, that has given the public an opportunity to invest in charity-based economy and in ethically responsible financing, or Trèvol, that as early as 20 years ago started a bicycle courier service to protect the environment and that is now considering the possibility of employing electronic vehicles that pollute less.
Recently, the United Nations has reminded of the role played by co-operatives in helping those who survived the tsunami in Asia.
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