A Message About DAWI's Work in Uncertain Times

"The worker cooperative sector needs your ambition to be not merely a tool or an alternative, but the bones, blood and muscles of a just and healthy economy." Dear colleagues, I’m writing to share some changes in the works at DAWI, to reconnect about our shared work, and see what’s possible in uncertain but critical times. 2020 has a way of showing us stark realities about ourselves. The multiple overlapping crises in our public health, our economy, and our democracy have caused widespread acute pain, but in reality we’ve been running a fever for awhile. The economy is sick, it… more

Co-op Month 2017 — let's build and grow together

The Democracy at Work Institute is happy to celebrate co-op month with the rest of the movement! As we continue to see the growth of worker-owned businesses and a widespread understanding of the model, we renew our commitment to training and equipping leaders in the sector and being the “think and do” tank that helps the worker cooperative movement to grow strategically. We are at a tipping point in awareness of the… more
2024 CGRI survey cover

Findings From the Cooperative Governance Research Initiative 2024

Author(s) : Courtney Berner and Dr. Yanni Liang
Year :

The 2024 CGRI survey, the second in the series, gathered responses from 436 cooperatives spanning diverse sectors including retail, financial services, agriculture, and insurance. This report presents descriptive statistics on board composition, governance practices, management structures, member participation, and board and cooperative performance. 

Find the report here. 

Workers to Owners Collaborative Announces First National Employee Ownership Training for SBDC Advisors

SAN DIEGO, CA – The first national training program on employee ownership was launched for Small Business Development Center Advisors (SBDC) and Directors. The program, led by the Workers to Owners Collaborative (W2O) in collaboration with America’s SBDC National Special Interest Section on Employee Ownership and Business Transitions, is a major step forward in supporting small business owners successfully navigate a business exit through sale to their employees. The program benefited 33 SBDC advisors and directors serving small businesses in 19 U.S. states. “Through this program, these advisors are now equipped with a front line toolkit, case studies, and in-depth…

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Vivid Life Home Care Cooperatives: 52 Caregivers Step Into Ownership

The Vivid Life Home Care Cooperatives are a worker-owned home care initiative in California designed to meet the state’s growing demand for quality in-home care while creating stable, dignified jobs. The program benefits caregivers (mostly workers facing low wages and poor working conditions) by offering training, cooperative ownership opportunities, and the chance to build an inclusive industry that uplifts both workers and the seniors they care for. As a founding partner, DAWI…

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Worker Ownership Cities

We have launched the Worker Ownership Cities program to accelerate the national adoption of worker ownership by local governments.

There are over 19,500 cities, towns, and villages in the US and less than 1% include worker ownership in their policies or plans. Despite proven benefits, few cities are aware of how they can deploy employee ownership strategies to address local priorities. 

DAWI at the United Nations: Celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives

This July, DAWI joined global leaders at the United Nations to spotlight the power of worker ownership ahead of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. Our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Anh-Thu Nguyen and our Board President, Christine Curella, brought DAWI’s perspective to the global stage: that worker ownership is not only a strategy for local resilience, but also a model for a more just economy worldwide. Anh-Thu Nguyen, represented DAWI and the…

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