Philanthropy and co-operatives need closer collaboration

22 July 2015

Co-operatives can provide an innovative way to address inequality and disadvantage by using ownership as a tool to empower people and build community wealth. This is the view of Krystian Seibert, Policy & Research Manager with Philanthropy Australia.

Writing in Pro Bono News, Mr Seibert calls for the need for philanthropy and co-operatives to get to know each other better stating how co-operatives adopt a different approach to ‘traditional’ charities, and to social enterprises supported through external investors.

Noting the ‘bottom-up’ rather than ‘top-down’ approach of co-operatives, along with a focus on ‘self-help’, Mr Seibert indicates that this involves communities taking the initiative and taking the lead rather than relying on support from other sources like governments.

Using examples like Nundah Community Enterprises and National Health Co-operative in ACT, he states closer engagement and collaboration will add another tool into the toolbox, and help both philanthropy and co-operatives make more of an impact in our community.

Photo credit: Got Credit