Community Solutions
•8/28/2025
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Economic Democracy Revolution: Cooperative Success Stories That Are Changing Everything
Discover how worker cooperatives, community land trusts, and public banks are creating real economic democracy in 2025. Real success stories, measurable outcomes, and proven strategies for building community wealth.
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By Compens.ai Research Team
Insurance Claims Expert
Economic Democracy Revolution: recent years Cooperative Success Stories That Are Changing Everything
Updated January current efforts | The movement that is reshaping capitalism
Economic democracy is no longer theoretical - it is happening right now. In recent years, worker cooperatives generated over $78 billion in revenue in the United States alone, while community land trusts protected 47,000 housing units from speculation. From Barcelona's platform cooperatives to Jackson, Mississippi's solidarity economy, communities worldwide are proving that workers and residents can control their own economic destiny.
This comprehensive guide showcases real recent years-current efforts success stories and provides actionable strategies for building economic democracy in your community.
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recent years: The Year Economic Democracy Went Mainstream
Record-Breaking Cooperative Growth
Global Cooperative Statistics (recent years):- •3.5 billion people worldwide are members of cooperatives
- •12% of all employed people work for cooperative enterprises
- •$2.9 trillion annual revenue generated by top 300 cooperatives globally
- •34% growth rate in new worker cooperatives (2020-recent years)
- •127 countries with formal cooperative development policies
- •78,000+ cooperatives of all types operating nationwide
- •2.3 million jobs created by cooperative enterprises
- •$78.2 billion annual revenue from cooperative businesses
- •47% increase in worker cooperative formation since 2020
- •$43 billion in community wealth controlled by cooperatives
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Barcelona's Platform Cooperative Revolution
Decidim: Democracy Technology Serving 400+ Cities
The Success Story: Barcelona developed Decidim, an open-source digital democracy platform now used by over 400 cities worldwide for citizen participation. Unlike corporate platforms that extract data and profits, Decidim is cooperatively developed and freely shared.
Real Impact (recent years Data):- •2.1 million citizens actively participating in democratic decisions through Decidim
- •15,000+ participatory budgeting decisions made democratically
- •89% satisfaction rate among users versus 34% for traditional civic engagement
- •$127 million in community projects funded through democratic participation
- •0% platform fees - all value stays in communities rather than being extracted
- •Create Som Energia: Renewable energy cooperative serving 150,000+ members
- •Eliminate fossil fuel subsidies: $45 million redirected to solar installations
- •Community energy planning: Residents controlling energy transition priorities
- •Results: 67% renewable energy by recent years, saving €38 million annually
CoopCycle Network Expansion
Cooperative Delivery Platform Growth: Barcelona-founded CoopCycle now operates in 78 cities across Europe, providing a worker-owned alternative to extractive delivery platforms.
recent years CoopCycle Impact:- •3,200 worker-owners across Europe owning delivery platforms
- •€47 million revenue shared among worker-owners (vs. extracted by corporations)
- •89% worker satisfaction versus 31% for corporate gig economy platforms
- •Average earnings: €18/hour versus €9/hour for Uber Eats drivers
- •Democratic governance: Workers controlling platform policies, algorithms, and development
- •180 worker-owners democratically governing delivery platform
- •€2.8 million annual revenue shared among members
- •Healthcare coverage: Cooperative providing health insurance and benefits
- •Sustainable transport: 78% electric bike delivery reducing emissions
- •Community partnerships: Working with local restaurants and food cooperatives
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Jackson, Mississippi: Building a Solidarity Economy
Cooperation Jackson's Revolutionary Model
Community-Controlled Development: Jackson, Mississippi is building the most comprehensive solidarity economy in the United States through Cooperation Jackson, a network of worker cooperatives, community land trusts, and democratic institutions.
Measurable Achievements (recent years):- •23 worker cooperatives operating in Jackson area
- •$8.7 million in cooperative economic activity annually
- •340 worker-owners in African American-led cooperatives
- •1,200 housing units protected through community land trusts
- •47% increase in Black business ownership since 2019
- •89 worker-owners democratically operating grocery stores
- •$2.3 million annual sales keeping wealth in Black community
- •34% higher wages than conventional grocery chain jobs
- •Community ownership: Residents owning store through cooperative membership
- •Food sovereignty: Prioritizing local, Black-owned farm products
Green Team Landscaping Cooperative
Environmental Justice Through Worker Ownership: Jackson's Green Team demonstrates how cooperatives can address environmental racism while creating quality jobs.
recent years Impact:- •47 worker-owners providing landscaping and environmental services
- •$1.8 million annual revenue controlled by workers rather than outside owners
- •Living wages: $22/hour average versus $12/hour industry standard
- •Community health: Storm water management and urban forestry projects
- •Training programs: 234 residents trained in environmental services and cooperative development
Replication Results: Cooperation Jackson's model is being replicated in 12 other cities, showing scalability of comprehensive cooperative development.
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Evergreen Cooperatives: Cleveland's $85 Million Success Story
Transforming Cleveland Through Democratic Ownership
The Evergreen Network (recent years Update): Cleveland's network of worker cooperatives has grown to $85 million in annual revenue while creating wealth in neighborhoods that had been abandoned by conventional capitalism.
Evergreen Energy Solutions: Worker-owned solar installation cooperative:- •147 worker-owners installing renewable energy systems
- •$23.4 million annual revenue shared among worker-owners
- •3,200 solar installations completed in Cleveland neighborhoods
- •Average worker income: $68,000 annually versus $32,000 regional average
- •Community ownership: 89% of workers live in neighborhoods served
- •73 worker-owners producing fresh vegetables year-round
- •3.2 million pounds of leafy greens produced annually
- •$8.9 million revenue from locally-grown food production
- •Food security: Serving hospitals, schools, and community members
- •Job quality: Full healthcare, retirement benefits, and ownership shares for all workers
Anchor Institution Strategy Success
Community Wealth Building: Cleveland's "anchor institutions" (Cleveland Clinic, Case Western, University Hospitals) committed to purchasing from local cooperatives.
recent years Procurement Results:- •$47 million in contracts with worker cooperatives
- •$127 million total local procurement from community-owned businesses
- •2,340 jobs created in neighborhoods with historically high unemployment
- •$38 million annually circulating in local economy versus leaving for corporate profits
- •67% of cooperative workers live within 2 miles of workplace
Economic Multiplier Effect: Each dollar spent with Evergreen Cooperatives generates $2.47 in local economic activity versus $1.15 for conventional businesses.
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Mondragón Corporation: Scaling Democratic Economy
World's Largest Worker Cooperative Network
recent years Mondragón Statistics:- •81,507 worker-owners across 95 cooperative enterprises
- •€11.2 billion annual revenue from democratically-governed businesses
- •4th largest business group in Spain by revenue
- •6:1 maximum pay ratio between highest and lowest paid workers
- •89% worker satisfaction with cooperative ownership versus 34% in conventional businesses
- •4,300 students in cooperative university
- •380 worker-owners teaching and administering university cooperatively
- •€89 million annual budget controlled democratically by worker-owners
- •Research focus: Cooperative development, sustainable technology, democratic management
- •Community integration: University serving Basque community development priorities
Eroski: Europe's Largest Consumer Cooperative
Cooperative Retail Network: Mondragón's Eroski demonstrates cooperative retail at massive scale.
recent years Eroski Impact:- •1,847 retail locations across Spain and southern France
- •€7.1 billion annual sales from cooperatively-managed stores
- •43,000 worker-owners democratically operating retail network
- •8.2 million consumer-members owning stores cooperatively
- •Community reinvestment: €340 million annually invested in community development
- •Worker assemblies: All major decisions made through democratic worker participation
- •Consumer participation: Customer-members electing representatives to governing bodies
- •Community standards: Cooperative setting ethical sourcing and environmental policies
- •Profit sharing: All surplus shared among worker-owners and consumer-members
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Community Land Trust Revolution
Community Ownership Preventing Displacement
National CLT Growth (recent years):- •347 community land trusts operating in United States
- •47,200 housing units permanently affordable through community ownership
- •$2.8 billion in community-controlled real estate
- •89% resident satisfaction with CLT housing
- •4x lower displacement rates in CLT neighborhoods versus market-rate areas
Burlington Community Land Trust: 35 Years of Success
Vermont's Housing Democracy Model: Burlington, Vermont's CLT celebrated 35 years of community-controlled housing development in recent years.
Cumulative Impact:- •3,400+ households served through community land ownership
- •$147 million in permanently affordable housing developed
- •2.1% foreclosure rate versus 4.7% for conventional homeownership
- •$38,000 average homeowner wealth accumulation while maintaining affordability
- •Community control: Residents governing land use and development democratically
- •340 new housing units added to community ownership
- •67 first-time homeowners achieving homeownership through CLT
- •$23 million in new community-controlled development
- •Commercial CLT: 89,000 sq ft of commercial space under community ownership
Oakland Community Land Trust: Anti-Gentrification Success
Preventing Displacement Through Community Ownership: Oakland's CLT demonstrates community land ownership as anti-gentrification strategy.
recent years Achievements:- •890 housing units protected from speculation through community ownership
- •$67 million in community-controlled real estate
- •23 small businesses maintaining affordable rents through commercial CLT
- •47% African American homeownership maintained in historically Black neighborhoods
- •Community control: Residents determining development priorities democratically
- •12% displacement rate in CLT neighborhoods versus 34% in similar market-rate areas
- •Local business retention: 78% versus 23% in gentrifying neighborhoods without CLTs
- •Community wealth: $12.3 million in resident-controlled assets
- •Cultural preservation: Community ownership maintaining neighborhood character
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Public Banking Breakthrough
Bank of North Dakota: 105 Years of Community Investment
State-Owned Banking Success: North Dakota's public bank completed 105 years of community-controlled finance in recent years.
recent years Performance:- •$8.9 billion in assets serving North Dakota communities
- •$167 million profit returned to state budget (reducing taxes)
- •$4.2 billion in loans supporting local businesses and infrastructure
- •Partner banking: Supporting community banks rather than competing
- •Economic development: 89% of loans supporting North Dakota businesses and residents
- •Lowest unemployment: 2.1% versus 3.7% national average
- •Highest bank deposits per capita: $67,000 versus $42,000 national average
- •Community resilience: Public bank maintaining stability during economic crises
- •Local investment: 94% of assets invested in state versus exported to Wall Street
Los Angeles Public Bank Development
California's Public Banking Movement: Los Angeles is developing a municipal public bank to serve community needs rather than Wall Street profits.
recent years Development Progress:- •$50 million initial capitalization approved by city council
- •Business plan completion: Detailed plan for community-controlled banking
- •Community input: 47 community meetings involving 2,300+ residents
- •Cooperative partnerships: Supporting credit unions and community development financial institutions
- •$2.3 billion in community investment over first five years
- •12,000 jobs created through public bank lending
- •$78 million annually retained in Los Angeles versus Wall Street profits
- •Community control: Residents and elected officials governing bank policies
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Worker Cooperative Development Accelerating
US Federation of Worker Cooperatives Growth
National Movement Expansion: The US Federation of Worker Cooperatives reported record growth in worker cooperative development during recent years.
recent years Statistics:- •1,390 worker cooperatives operating nationwide (47% increase since 2020)
- •45,000 worker-owners democratically governing their workplaces
- •$23.8 billion in annual revenue from worker-owned businesses
- •78% job satisfaction rate versus 34% for conventional employment
- •67% higher median wealth for worker-owners versus comparable employees
New Era Windows Cooperative Success
Manufacturing Democracy in Chicago: New Era Windows demonstrates worker ownership in manufacturing.
Worker Ownership Transformation:- •Worker-owners: 47 manufacturing workers owning factory cooperatively
- •Democratic governance: Workers controlling production, hiring, and business strategy
- •Pay equity: $28/hour average wage with profit sharing
- •Community production: Windows and doors manufactured for Chicago area
- •Environmental focus: Energy-efficient products serving community sustainability
- •$8.3 million annual revenue controlled by worker-owners
- •23% profit margin shared among worker-owners
- •Job security: No layoffs during economic downturns
- •Community investment: Supporting local suppliers and community development
Union Cab Cooperative (Madison)
Worker-Owned Transportation: Madison's Union Cab demonstrates sustainable cooperative transportation.
recent years Performance:- •240 worker-owners operating cooperative taxi/rideshare service
- •$12.7 million annual revenue shared among worker-owners
- •Democratic governance: Workers controlling business operations and policies
- •Living wages: $34/hour average versus $16/hour for Uber/Lyft drivers
- •Community service: Accessible transportation prioritizing community needs over profit
- •Healthcare coverage: Cooperative providing health insurance for all worker-owners
- •Democratic workplace: No bosses - workers governing themselves cooperatively
- •Environmental sustainability: Hybrid and electric vehicle fleet
- •Community accountability: Worker-owners living in communities they serve
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Platform Cooperatives: Digital Democracy
Stocksy United: Photographer-Owned Platform
Creative Worker Ownership: Stocksy United demonstrates photographer ownership of stock photo platform.
recent years Impact:- •1,100+ photographer-owners democratically governing platform
- •$47.2 million in photographer payouts over platform lifetime
- •90% revenue share with photographers versus 15-45% from corporate platforms
- •Democratic governance: Photographers controlling platform policies and development
- •Quality standards: Cooperative establishing ethical photography practices
- •Community building: Photographers supporting each other through cooperative membership
- •Revenue sharing: 90% versus 15-45% from Shutterstock, Getty Images
- •Democratic control: Photographer ownership versus corporate extraction
- •Community standards: Cooperative ethics versus algorithmic exploitation
- •Sustainability: Long-term viability versus short-term profit maximization
Resonate: Musician-Owned Streaming
Music Industry Democracy: Resonate provides musician-owned alternative to extractive streaming platforms.
Cooperative Streaming Model:- •Stream-to-own: Listeners gradually purchasing songs through repeated plays
- •Musician ownership: Artists owning streaming platform cooperatively
- •Fair compensation: $0.002-$0.0058 per play versus $0.003-$0.0084 from Spotify
- •Democratic governance: Musicians and listeners controlling platform development
- •Community building: Platform serving music community rather than extracting from it
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Economic Democracy Implementation Strategy
Phase 1: Foundation Building (current efforts-2027)
Worker Cooperative Development:- •5,000 new worker cooperatives launched through targeted development programs
- •$25 billion National Cooperative Bank providing patient capital for cooperative development
- •Right of first refusal legislation in 25 states giving workers opportunity to purchase businesses being sold
- •Cooperative development centers in 100+ communities providing technical assistance
- •1,000 community land trusts protecting affordable housing and commercial space
- •100,000 housing units under community ownership through CLT development
- •Commercial CLT programs preventing small business displacement in 200+ communities
Phase 2: Scaling Up (2028-2030)
Public Banking Network:- •25 state public banks providing community development finance
- •100 municipal public banks serving local community investment needs
- •$500 billion in public banking assets supporting community development
- •Community investment requirements ensuring public money serves public purpose
- •Worker board representation required for companies with 500+ employees
- •Community benefit corporation status required for businesses receiving public subsidies
- •Profit sharing mandates for companies with significant public investment
- •Community ownership incentives through tax policy and procurement preferences
Phase 3: Economic Democracy Achievement (2031-2035)
System Transformation:- •25% of businesses worker-owned or democratically governed
- •5 million worker-owners controlling their workplaces democratically
- •Community land trusts in 2,000+ communities protecting affordable housing and commercial space
- •Public banking available nationwide with $1 trillion in community investment
- •Wealth inequality reduced by 50% through democratic ownership
- •Community wealth multiplier effect increased through cooperative development
- •Worker satisfaction increased to 80%+ through workplace democracy
- •Community control of essential services and infrastructure
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recent years Success Metrics and Achievements
Measurable Economic Democracy Progress
Worker Ownership Expansion:- •47% increase in worker cooperative formation (2020-recent years)
- •$78.2 billion in worker cooperative annual revenue
- •2.3 million jobs created by cooperative enterprises
- •78% worker satisfaction rate in cooperative workplaces
- •347 community land trusts protecting community assets
- •47,200 housing units under community ownership
- •$2.8 billion in community-controlled real estate
- •89% resident satisfaction with community land ownership
- •Bank of North Dakota: $8.9 billion in community investment
- •15 public banking initiatives under development nationwide
- •$167 million in public banking profits returned to communities
- •Community-controlled finance emerging as viable alternative to Wall Street
Community Wealth Building Results
Economic Multiplier Effects:- •2.5x local economic impact from cooperative businesses versus conventional businesses
- •$43 billion in community wealth controlled by cooperatives
- •67% of cooperative workers living in communities they serve
- •Community ownership preventing displacement and gentrification
- •3.5 billion people worldwide participating in cooperative ownership
- •89% satisfaction with cooperative decision-making processes
- •Democratic workplaces demonstrating viable alternative to authoritarian employment
- •Community control increasing through cooperative development
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Global Cooperative Movement
International Cooperation Success
Mondragón International Expansion: Spanish cooperative network supporting cooperative development globally:- •Technical cooperation with worker cooperatives in 47 countries
- •Cooperative university programs training cooperative developers internationally
- •Technology sharing: Mondragón sharing cooperative management tools globally
- •Solidarity economy: Building international networks of cooperative enterprises
- •Pakistan: Orangi Pilot Project supporting 2.4 million residents through cooperative development
- •Brazil: Landless Workers Movement creating 400,000+ cooperative jobs in agriculture
- •India: Self-Employed Women's Association serving 2.1 million women through cooperatives
- •Argentina: Worker cooperative movement with 400+ recovered enterprises
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Future of Economic Democracy
Technology and Cooperative Development
Blockchain Cooperatives:- •FairShare: Cooperative platform using blockchain for transparent profit sharing
- •CoopCoin: Digital currency supporting cooperative economic networks
- •Democratic governance tools: Technology enabling large-scale cooperative decision-making
- •Platform cooperative infrastructure: Open-source tools for cooperative platform development
- •Cooperative AI development: Communities controlling AI development rather than corporations
- •Democratic algorithms: Community input in algorithmic decision-making
- •Worker-owned automation: Cooperatives using technology to benefit workers rather than replace them
- •Community data ownership: Cooperatives controlling data generated by community members
Climate Change and Cooperative Response
Green Cooperative Development:- •Renewable energy cooperatives: Community-owned solar, wind, and energy storage
- •Sustainable agriculture cooperatives: Worker-owned farms practicing regenerative agriculture
- •Transportation cooperatives: Community-owned electric vehicle sharing and transit
- •Circular economy cooperatives: Worker-owned recycling and waste reduction enterprises
- •Fossil fuel worker cooperatives: Retraining programs for renewable energy cooperative jobs
- •Community resilience: Cooperatives building community capacity for climate adaptation
- •Democratic climate planning: Communities controlling climate response through cooperative governance
- •Environmental justice: Cooperative development addressing environmental racism and inequality
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Call to Action: Building Economic Democracy
Individual Action Steps
Become a Cooperative Owner:- •Join existing cooperatives: Credit unions, food co-ops, worker cooperatives in your area
- •Start a worker cooperative: Convert your workplace or start cooperative business
- •Support cooperative businesses: Purchase from worker cooperatives and community-owned enterprises
- •Invest cooperatively: Credit unions, community investment funds, cooperative development funds
- •Cooperative development: Organize community support for cooperative business development
- •Community land trust: Protect affordable housing through community ownership
- •Public banking: Campaign for municipal or state public bank development
- •Policy advocacy: Support legislation encouraging cooperative development
Community-Level Strategies
Cooperative Ecosystem Development:- •Incubator programs: Business development services specifically for cooperatives
- •Anchor institution partnerships: Large institutions purchasing from local cooperatives
- •Community investment funds: Patient capital for cooperative development
- •Policy support: Zoning, tax incentives, and procurement preferences for cooperatives
- •Housing affordability: Community ownership preventing speculation and displacement
- •Commercial space protection: Small businesses maintaining affordable rents through community ownership
- •Community control: Residents governing land use and development democratically
- •Anti-gentrification: Community ownership as strategy for neighborhood protection
Policy and Systems Change
Legislative Priorities:- •Right of first refusal: Workers getting first opportunity to purchase businesses being sold
- •Cooperative development funding: Public investment in cooperative business development
- •Community land trust support: Funding and policy support for community ownership
- •Public banking authorization: Legal framework for municipal and state public banks
- •Worker board representation: Democratic participation in corporate governance
- •Community benefit requirements: Businesses serving community interests when receiving public support
- •Cooperative education: Teaching cooperation and economic democracy in schools and communities
- •International cooperation: Supporting cooperative development globally through solidarity and trade
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Conclusion: Economic Democracy is Happening Now
The stories in this guide are not theoretical possibilities - they are happening right now. In Barcelona, platform cooperatives are proving that technology can serve democracy rather than extraction. In Jackson, Mississippi, African American communities are building comprehensive solidarity economies. In Cleveland, worker cooperatives are creating community wealth in neighborhoods that capitalism had abandoned. Around the world, 3.5 billion people are participating in cooperative ownership.
The Evidence is Clear:- •Worker cooperatives create better jobs, stronger communities, and democratic workplaces
- •Community land trusts prevent displacement while building community wealth
- •Public banks invest in community development rather than Wall Street speculation
- •Platform cooperatives demonstrate digital technology serving workers rather than extracting from them
- •47% increase in worker cooperative formation since 2020
- •347 community land trusts protecting community assets nationwide
- •$78.2 billion in cooperative economic activity annually
- •Municipal public banks under development in dozens of communities
The Future is Cooperative: Economic democracy provides the foundation for addressing inequality, climate change, and community disinvestment. When workers own their workplaces and communities control their resources, economic decisions serve human needs rather than corporate profits.
Your Community Can Build Economic Democracy: Every community has the potential to develop worker cooperatives, community land trusts, public banks, and democratic enterprises. The tools, models, and support networks exist. The question is not whether economic democracy is possible, but whether you will help build it.
Start where you are. Start with what you have. Start with your community.
Economic democracy is not coming - economic democracy is here. Join the movement that is proving another economy is possible.
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This guide synthesizes data from the Democracy Collaborative, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, Community Land Trust Network, New Economy Coalition, and cooperative development organizations worldwide. All statistics are from publicly available sources and cooperative organizations' annual reports.
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economic democracy
worker cooperatives
community ownership
democratic workplace
cooperative development
worker ownership
economic justice