The cooperative model as an innovative answer to contemporary and future societal challenges.

Flanders is confronted with huge societal challenges in terms of demographic changes, globalization of the economy and sustainable development. In view of the magnitude of these challenge, financial restrictions for public authorities, the search for more local participation, and the accessibility and quality of the serviced needen, innovative organizational and financial froms are desired. In virtue of the inherent characteristics of the co-operative model, this model is (re)discovered by people and organizations looking for alternative organization and financial forms. The project aims to analyze existing and starting co-operative answers to societal challenges in Belgium as well as abroad (Italy, Sweden, Finland, UK). A typology of these co-operative models will be constructed and we will analyse which characterisitcs of these models make them suitable to answer societal needs. Based on the analysis, we develop deasible business models for co-operative entrepreneurship in the fields of care, houwing and sustainable energy. We will also formulate recommendations for a Flemish policy to reinforce innovative cooperative entrepreneurship responding to current and future social needs.

Keywords:Social innovation, Business model, Societal challenges, Co-operatives