Editorial: Cooperatives at the Frontline of Societal Transformation

In our current era, we face widespread expulsion from multiple systems due to complex, multicausal problems. Many of these challenges are rooted in economic dynamics that have severely impacted the environment and heightened societal insecurity. In response, hybrid organizations – particularly cooperatives – have been recognized for their potential to bridge the divide between environmental concerns and socio-economic development. This JEOD special issue entitled Cooperatives at the Frontline of Societal Transformation highlights the crucial role cooperatives play in addressing today’s societal challenges and “wicked problems”, with a focus on their contributions to democratization, decommodification, and decarbonization. In this editorial, we introduce the idea that these processes occur across micro, meso, and macro levels and that cooperatives can achieve sustainable outcomes due to their embeddedness within regions and local communities. The articles included in this issue explore one or more of these levels, providing insights and stimulating future discussions on the role of cooperatives in economy and society. This collection also seeks to promote epistemic justice for cooperatives, particularly as we approach the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025.