Cecosesola and the Art of Commoning within Capitalist Markets
One of the most singular and accomplished commons I’ve ever encountered is Cecosesola, a federation of Venezuelan cooperatives. The remarkable federation artfully manages multiple ventures as commons while deeply immersed within a system of capitalist markets.
Founded in 1967 in the state of Lara in Venezuela, Cecosesola got its start when working-class people in poorest barrios of the region organized to set aside money every month to build their own cooperatives.

Nearly sixty years later, Cecosesola now coordinates a wide variety of enterprises. It works with farmers to supply 800 tons of vegetables to large urban produce markets serving 100,000 people a week. Its healthcare services treat 250,000 patients a year, including many specialties and surgeries. Its savings and loan cooperative, funerary enterprise, and dozens of other organizations serve low-income families at dramatically lower prices than conventional markets.
While the market performance of the coops is impressive, its most significant achievement is its internal work culture and grassroots support. Cecosesola hosts a radically nonhierarchical, egalitarian culture of trust and participation for its 1,500 associates. Its success is based on its deep commitment to building social trust, responsibility, and personal self-improvement.
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