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ABOUT US

Kooperatiben Kontseilua (formerly the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi, CSCE-EKGK) was established on January 28, 1983. In the first acts, the Council contributed to the start-up of the Cooperative Federations, contributing to a greater international presence and becoming a member of the International Cooperative Alliance.

In 1996 the Euskadi Confederation of Cooperatives was established. It is a meeting point to guarantee the promotion and dissemination of cooperativism and an advisor on cooperative matters for the Basque public administrations. The entities represented in plenary session are the cooperative federations, the Basque Government and the universities of Euskadi.

History of the organization

Kooperatiben Kontseilua was instituted by Law 1/1982, of February 11, on Cooperatives of the Basque Country, formally constituting itself on January 28, 1983.

In the first years, it is worth noting the efforts made to enable the structuring of a Basque cooperativism, collaborating decisively in the start-up of the Cooperative Federations, together with those aimed at providing it with an international presence at the highest level (in October 1988 the incorporation of the Kooperatiben Kontseilua as a member of the International Cooperative Alliance occurs).

Between 1988 and 1991, the Cooperative Federations began their activity and the CSCE-EKGK channels, through these entities, the concerns and proposals of the cooperative movement to position itself in the new competitive environment with its own cooperative identity. After analyzing these proposals with the collaboration of experts in cooperative legislation, a draft of the Preliminary Draft was prepared that gave rise to Law 4/93 on Cooperatives of the Basque Country.

The constitution of the Euskadi Confederation of Cooperatives in 1996 under the aforementioned Law 4/93, demands the due adaptation of the functions of Kooperatiben Kontseilua as well as its internal organization. Both aspects have been contemplated, both in the normative texts that currently regulate the Kooperatiben Kontseilua, and in the Strategic Plan.

On the occasion of the celebration of the XXV Anniversary of the Constitution of the Council (1983/2008) the book was published in 2009 that compiles the “History of the Superior Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi 1983/2008” that synthesizes the most relevant milestones of said period provides a graphic support that helps to make visible some of its protagonists.

Vision

Kooperatiben Kontseilua, as a public entity with its own legal personality, wants to have the recognition of Basque society for the promotion and dissemination of cooperative companies and their values and principles, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the Basque Country.

To achieve its strategic vision,
Kooperatiben Kontseilua faces the following strategic challenges:

  • Increase the number of cooperatives
    BOOST

    With the evolution of the economy,
    the appearance of emerging sectors and the existing transformation challenges,
    within the functions assigned to Kooperatiben Kontseilua, it is aligned with the promotion of the cooperative company and its values and principles as a model that affects society in this new context.

  • Increase the visibility of cooperatives and a better social acceptance of cooperatives.
    BROADCAST

    Its pedestrian function has been developed to expand to other areas.
    Influences the promotion of cooperative values within cooperative companies
    and among its partners as a differential and competitive value.

  • Development of a system of measurement and knowledge of cooperativism.
    MEASURE

    The challenge of Kooperatiben Kontseilua is to support its promotion and dissemination challenge
    with current data and information. They should serve to create better strategies and actions,
    as well as to achieve a greater commitment
    in cooperatives and in society in general.

  • Being a fundamental ally of public administrations in the development of cooperatives.
    HELP

    Regulatory development is the backbone of the promotion of cooperative enterprises.
    Kooperatiben Kontseilua claims to be a public entity
    to be integrated into the functioning of public administrations
    to contribute to regulatory development. In addition, he wants to take advantage of the inquiries of his colleagues
    to constitute a Think Thank in the field of cooperativism
    and strengthen its advisory role.

  • Advance and modernize functional development.
    ADVANCE

    Kooperatiben Kontseilua assumes the role of ensuring compliance
    of the current regulations. The role played in the relationship with cooperative companies
    has always become something new,
    with the intention of being more efficient and offering more quality.

Principles and values

7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

  • Voluntary and open membership
  • Democratic partner management
  • Economic participation of partners
  • Autonomy and independence
  • Education, training and information
  • inter-cooperative cooperation
  • Interest in the community

6 COOPERATIVE VALUES

  • Self help
  • Self-responsibility
  • Democracy
  • Equality
  • Equity
  • Solidarity

Functions

In articles 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the “REGULATION OF ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE HIGHER COUNCIL OF COOPERATIVES OF EUSKADI” defined in the operating regulations (BOPV nº 55 of 03-20-2003):

Article 5.- Promotion function.

One.- The operational contents of the promotion function to be developed by the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi are the following:

  1. Participate, facilitate and collaborate in the research, planning and execution of cooperative development programs.
  2. Promote, in coordination with the Basque Public Administrations, the Confederation and the Federations of Cooperatives of Euskadi, the constitution of cooperative companies and the consolidation of existing ones.
  3. Promote the institutional backbone of the cooperative movement.
  4. Organize services of common interest for the Confederation, the Basque Cooperative Federations and the cooperatives.
  5. Promote the maximum development of cooperative legislation.
  6. Any others that, being registrable in the concept of promotion, are approved by the Plenary of the Superior Council.

Two.- It will be a specific obligation of the Council to establish the modalities of practical execution of each one of the contents indicated in the previous section, either through specific regulations or through any other operating model, establishing priorities, selecting means, conforming execution models, and assigning tasks and responsibilities. All this will be reflected in the planning documents, to the extent of their corresponding concretion and approval, in the successive three-year Strategic Plans and Management Plans.

Article 6.- Dissemination function.

One.- The operational contents of the Dissemination function, to be developed by the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi, are the following:

  1. Disseminate the values and principles of the cooperative identity.
  2. Make the different social agents and public entities aware of the potential of the cooperative system and its social function, as well as its realities, especially through the Social Balance of the cooperative movement.
  3. Promote cooperative education and training.
  4. Systematically promote communication, both internally and externally, of the objectives and actions of the Superior Council.
  5. Any others that, being registrable in the dissemination concept, are approved by the Plenary of the Council.

Two.- The executive modalities of the above contents will abide by the provisions of article 5-Two.

Article 7.- Arbitration function.

One.- The operational contents of the Arbitration function, to be developed by the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi, are the following:

  1. Intervene through arbitration in matters that arise between cooperatives, between them and their members, or within them between members, in the cases and general conditions established by the Euskadi Cooperative Law.
  2. Promote conciliation as a formula for alternative resolution of conflicts within cooperatives.
  3. Approve and modify the corresponding Arbitration Rules for its regulation and achievement of maximum legal security.
  4. Apply the Cooperative Arbitration Regulations, through the Basque Cooperative Arbitration Service, the entity in charge of administering arbitrations.
  5. Disseminate the Basque Cooperative Arbitration Service, its activity, and the Cooperative Arbitration Regulations among cooperatives and their members.
  6. Use arbitration interventions to publicize arbitration and conciliation, as well as the interpretation of the cooperative regulatory framework.

Two.- In order to carry out this function as effectively as possible, the Basque Cooperative Arbitration Service may be equipped with the work commissions it deems appropriate.

Three.- The executive modalities of the above contents will abide by the provisions of article 5-Two.

Article 8.- Consultative and advisory function.

Issue the mandatory reports on the draft legal and regulatory provisions demanded by the Basque Government and the rest of the Public Administrations, as well as defend them before the requesting bodies.

  1. Ensure the effective request for reports when these are mandatory by the Public Administrations and challenge, otherwise, the provisions for which no report has been requested.
  2. Propose regulatory projects concerning the cooperative sphere, including the specific tax regulations before the Provincial Councils.
  3. Carry out studies, proposals and opinions on matters within its competence in order to contribute them,
  4. Any other that, being registered in the double consultative and advisory concept of this function, decides to include the Plenary of the Superior Council.
  5. requesting their consideration, to the pertinent instances.

Two.- The executive modalities of the above contents will abide by the provisions of article 5-Two.

Article 9.- Collaboration function.

One.- The operational contents of the collaboration function, to be developed by the Higher Council of Cooperatives of Euskadi, are the following:

  1. Respond to the demands raised, from the Public Administrations, in order to improve the socio-economic order of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country.
  2. Promote and systematize a regular presence before the Basque Parliament in order to explain and expose the actions carried out and future strategic objectives.
  3. Participate in institutional contacts and other appearances that are required from the Public Administrations.
  4. Carry out, in coordination with the rest of the Public Administrations, the necessary actions for a wide knowledge and correct compliance with the Euskadi Cooperatives Law.
  5. Comply with the obligations or exercise the rights established by the Law, previously cited, in articles 85.1, 85.4, 88.3, 90.2, 94.2, 136.6, 137.1 and 2, 140.6, 141.3 and 142.1 related to:
    • The transformation of cooperatives into civil or commercial companies.
    • The dissolution and liquidation of cooperatives.
    • The authorization, at the time of the configuration, constitutive or by modification, of the mixed cooperatives, of the statutory provision of distribution of the Mandatory Reserve Fund in case of liquidation.
    • The application of the principles of social interest and public utility entrusted to the public powers.
    • The application of sanctions, disqualification, and temporary intervention, in cooperatives.
  7. Comply, likewise, with the precepts established or to be established by the regulations of the Registry of Cooperatives of Euskadi or by any other legal provision, and disseminate their knowledge.
  8. Any others that, being registrable in the collaboration concept, decide to include the Plenary of the Superior Council.

Two.- The executive modalities of the above contents will abide by the provisions of article 5.Two of these Regulations.

Composition

The Plenary is made up of 20 People, 19 Counselors and the General Technical Secretary
10 representatives of the Euskadi Confederation of Cooperatives:

President: D. Patxi Olabarria Furundarena
Dª. Rosa Lavin Ibarra
D. Iñaki Nubla Otaola
D. Pablo Durana Duque
D. Alejandro Elejabarrieta Goyeneche
D. Mikel Larrea Azpeitia
D. Iñigo Albizuri Landazabal
D. Oier Lizarazu Iztueta
Dª. Idurre Maourtua Aiarzaguena
Jon Loroño Yurrebaso

3 representatives of the Basque Government:

Vice-President: D. Jokin Diaz Arsuaga (Basque Government Social Economy Director)
Dª. Ana Belen Camacho Vera (Basque Government Director of Industry and Energy Transition)
D. Eugenio Jimenez Ibañez (Basque Government Director of Planning and Education Centers)

3 representatives of the Provincial Councils:

D. Javier Hernado Garcia (Provincial Council of Alava Director of Economic Development and Innovation)
D. Iker Estensoro Sarasola (Gipuzkoa Provincial Council General Director of Economic Promotion)
D. Joseba Mariezkurrena Cuesta (Provincial Council of Bizkaia Director General of Entrepreneurship and Business Competitiveness)

3 university representatives:

Dª. Aitziber Etxezarreta Etxarri (E.H.U University of the Basque Country)
Dª. Ainara Udaondo Alberdi (M. U. University of Mondragon)
Dª. Marta Enciso Santocildes (University of Deusto)

Technical General Secretary:

Dª Belén Balerdi Ozaeta

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