This is the first episode of our new series' Social and Solidarity Economy'. The Social and Solidarity Economy explores the world of cooperatives, collectives, platform workers, unions, and other democratic enterprises that are rooted in collaboration, equity and shared prosperity.

Cooperatives are often dismissed as small, old-fashioned, or inefficient, but what if some of the world’s biggest and most resilient businesses weren’t driven by shareholders—but by members? In our first episode, Balu Iyer, the Regional Director for Asia–Pacific at the International Cooperative Alliance breaks down the cooperative model: where it came from, how it works, and why over a billion people around the world are part of it. Drawing on Indian examples such as Amul, IFFCO, SEWA, and ULCCS, the conversation explores how cooperatives combine professionalism with participation, values with viability, and democracy with business—offering a powerful alternative to extractive economic models and unfair work places.