What Makes Co‑ops Different?
Co‑ops aren’t run by distant investors chasing profit. They’re owned and guided by the people who care most—workers, customers, and local communities. That means decisions aren’t just about money, but about values: how we earn it, how we use it, and how it benefits everyone involved.
Every co‑op around the world shares a set of principles and values, though each brings its own flavour.
https://www.uk.coop/understanding-co-ops/what-co-op/co-op-values-and-principles
Our Way of Doing Things
Atlantic Fungi is a Multi‑Stakeholder Cooperative. We love the worker co‑op model and this was our initial intention, but our members have different levels and types of investment in Atlantic Fungi. To honour this, we’ve chosen a structure that includes both worker and investor members. With a vision to add more types of membership options in the future.
Legally, we’re a company limited by guarantee, not the more common “limited by shares” setup. This means every full member has an equal say—equal stake, equal responsibility, equal voting rights—no matter how much they’ve invested or how many hours they’ve put in.
Why Co‑operation Matters
For us, co‑operation isn’t just paperwork—it’s a way of life. When we share skills, ideas, and resources, we build resilience and spark creativity. Interdependence isn’t weakness; it’s strength. Together, we can do more than survive—we can thrive.