The experience of Spanish cooperatives for Ukraine’s economy

Abstract

The article examines the Spanish cooperative sector—one of the most advanced and diversified cooperative systems in the European Union—in the context of its practical relevance to building Ukraine's cooperative economy. The subject of the research encompasses the organizational models, legal frameworks, financial mechanisms, and socio-economic outcomes of Spanish cooperatives across various economic sectors. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Spanish cooperative experience and, based on these findings, formulate specific recommendations for the reform and development of the cooperative sector in Ukraine. To achieve this objective, the following research tasks were addressed: investigating the historical evolution of the Spanish cooperative movement; characterizing the legal framework governing cooperative activities in Spain; analyzing key models of cooperative enterprise, namely the industrial (Basque), agricultural, and credit models; identifying the specific features of social cooperatives and their role within the social economy system; and conducting a comparative analysis of Spanish and Ukrainian cooperative legislation. The research methodology relies on comparative legal analysis, the historical-genetic approach, systems analysis, the synthesis of foreign experience, and the statistical analysis of data from industry associations and academic literature. The research findings indicate that the Spanish cooperative sector, which comprises over twenty thousand active cooperatives across a wide range of industries, demonstrates high economic resilience, social efficiency, and innovation potential. This is evidenced, in particular, by significantly lower unemployment rates during economic crises in regions with a well-developed cooperative sector. Special attention is given to the Basque industrial cooperative model, with its internal financial mechanisms and dedicated educational system; the Andalusian olive and wine agricultural cooperatives; and social cooperatives operating in healthcare and social services. The study concludes that to develop a robust cooperative sector, Ukraine requires: a systemic reform of its outdated cooperative legislation aligned with EU best practices; the advancement of cooperative education and culture at all levels; the expansion of credit union networks and solidarity funds; the formation of horizontal cooperative associations and federations; and the active utilization of the cooperative model as an instrument for the post-war reconstruction of communities and regions, as well as the social integration of vulnerable populations.