Although cooperatives are efficient structures for small-scale producers, they are perceived very negatively in the post-Soviet countries. Instead of the democratization, sovereignty and economic benefits, Soviet cooperatives (or kolkhozes), delivered rather land grabbing and nationalization of private sector. While European or North-American cooperatives were centres of thriving economic life, Soviet kolkhoz was a tool for five-year planning and economic regulation. Is it even possible to work with the idea of cooperatives in such environment? Yes! Georgia is the case where “modern” cooperatives are flourishing with proper campaigning and advocacy.
Agricultural project of People in Need NGO in Terjola region in Georgia