Overview
If you are reading this best practice through the Principle 6 platform, you already understand a powerful truth: cooperation among cooperatives is not just an ideal—it’s a strategic advantage. Principle 6 provides the tools to make collaboration real, measurable, and easier to execute.
In today’s rapidly changing world, no cooperative can achieve its full potential alone. True collaboration between cooperatives creates new opportunities for innovation, advocacy, shared services, and stronger, more resilient local economies.
This best practice outlines strategies for building active, impactful collaborations using Principle 6 tools and networks.
Core Tactics:
- Leverage Principle 6 Tools for Collaboration.
Use the full range of Principle 6 collaboration tools to find and execute partnerships:- Network Nexus: Search for cooperatives by sector, region, or interest area.
- Dynamic Knowledge Bank: Access shared solutions from other cooperatives to jumpstart collaboration ideas.
- Collaborative Communities: Build or join project-specific or sector-specific communities designed to help cooperatives collaborate in real time.
- Identify Areas for Collaboration.
Look for natural collaboration opportunities:- Joint marketing or branding initiatives
- Shared service agreements (e.g., HR, accounting, IT support)
- Bulk purchasing cooperatives or vendor consortiums
- Cross-promotion of member programs
- Collective advocacy efforts at regional or national levels
- Start Small but Start Now.
Begin with simple collaborations to build trust and momentum:- Co-sponsor an event
- Share vendor or service recommendations
- Host a local cooperative networking session
- Use Collaborative Communities on Principle 6 to Build Projects.
What Collaborative Communities Are:- Private or open project groups on the P6 platform where cooperatives can organize joint initiatives, share resources, coordinate discussions, and track progress.
- Ways to Use Collaborative Communities:
- Plan multi-cooperative marketing campaigns
- Launch a joint purchasing group
- Share best practices for technology adoption, DEI, sustainability, or member engagement
- How to Start or Join a Collaborative Community:
- Visit the Network Nexus section of the P6 platform.
- Search for Collaboration Communities that would benefit your cooperative, if you don’t see a community that fits your need you can submit a request to create one.
- Select “Create a Collaborative Community.”
- Set the purpose, membership (open or invite-only), and communication settings.
- Invite cooperatives who would benefit or align with the project’s goals.
- Formalize Agreements Thoughtfully.
For larger or ongoing collaborations:- Draft simple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
- Clarify goals, timelines, roles, and shared contributions
- Emphasize cooperative principles in the partnership agreements
- Celebrate and Communicate Collaborative Successes.
Share stories of successful collaborations:- Internally with your members to build pride
- Externally with Principle 6, federations, and the broader public
- Continuously Explore New Collaboration Opportunities.
Collaboration should be a living, ongoing part of your cooperative’s strategy:- Build new communities over time
- Seek out sectoral and cross-sectoral partnerships
- Experiment, learn, and adapt your collaboration practices
By tapping into Principle 6’s tools and building collaboration into your DNA, cooperatives can unlock growth, resilience, and transformational impact together.