Koto coop

https://kotocoop.org/description/

Basic idea and objectives

Purpose of the cooperative

We will set up a cooperative in which the members can implement RBE-like lifestyles, develop the skills and plans to expand the lifestyle, collect resources for setting up the next unit, and ultimately, the number of units will cover the entire planet's population. The participation share entitles you to live in any of the units. The price decreases as new units are set up because some of the work and resources are allocated towards the establishment of the next unit.

Income and financing

Products and services to be sold are being developed in order to raise funds for the acquisition of those resources that cannot be manufactured within the cooperative. The amount of purchased resources will decrease as the cooperative grows or its functions improve.

One becomes a member of the co-operative by paying a participation share. The payment is equal to purchasing needed resources for building a member's dwelling. A member acquires the money to pay the participations share, for example by taking a personal bank loan. However, the participation share is so small that the monthly installment of a bank loan is lower than an average rent (for example, the monthly fee of a 20000€ loan is about 190€/ month).

The participation share will decrease as resources for the creation of new units are obtained from the functions of the cooperative.

The plot and common facilities are paid by the cooperative. Funds for the cooperative will be collected even before the first unit is set up. It is likely that money and other resources have not been accumulated enough for setting up the first unit, so the cooperative takes a necessary bank loan that is paid for by the cooperative's income. Once the loan of the first unit has been disbursed, money is being collected to set up the next unit.

Ownership

The cooperative owns the dwellings, community facilities and resources.

The amount of work and automation

The most important thing in the initial phase is to develop automated food production methods, to pursue energy self-sufficiency, and to develop ways to facilitate the construction of the next unit (e.g. by constructing needed equipment to be ready, and by collecting necessary resources). However, the goal of the operation is to generate revenue and resources as much as is needed to enable the expansion of operations.

The difference between Koto and eco villages

Eco villages are easy to set up. The most important goal is the expandability of the operations, and for this the traditional eco-village idea may not be the best possible. The aim is to create a way to set up cooperatives/communities that have the potential to expand to cover the whole Finland, and ultimately the whole world.

Supporting other ways of operating

The cooperative can make use of other ways of operating if they are felt to be beneficial to the cooperative or ecologically-minded people outside the cooperative. However, the cooperative cannot support an activity that costs too much over its benefits.

Examples of participation methods include at least participation in or organization of food cooperatives, participation in organizing various events, acting as tool libraries, arranging trainings, etc.

Units (We should think of a better name)

There are many different types of units. However, the dwellings are of the same "standard" so that when moving to another unit, it will not be of seemingly poorer quality.

Some unit types offer non-members more opportunities to participate in activities than others. However, all units should produce something beneficial for the cooperative.

Proposal for phases

Phase 0 - Design and establishment of a cooperative

The principles and rules of the cooperative are created.

The first unit is set up in a decentralized form and participants for it are searched for. Within the decentralized unit people learn and execute the automation of resource production.

Plans for the first units are being prepared.

The phase ends when it can be stated that the operation has reached the desired level without the first physical unit, the cooperative has been established and the participants for the first physical unit have beenfound.

Phase 1 - The establishment of the first small units

These units are largely self-sufficient and return-generating units. Each unit generates enough resources and funds that after a certain period the unit can set up the next unit. The amount of units is therefore accelerating.

Most of the resources are produced almost without the labor of the members.

The unit provides its residents with fairly good living conditions. Residents generate income through the unit for the cooperative, and also resources for other units. The cooperative provides a certain amount of money for each person as a basic income/citizen's salary.

The residents must commit themselves to maintenance work, and seek to promote expansion.

Step ends when the cooperative is debt-free, and basic needs are met with almost no intervention.

Phase 2 - Units with fewer requirements in multiple countries

Units are still trying to generate income but residents can be received more freely. For example, dwellings can be rented to people who have not yet fully integrated the RBE ideas.

Units can be of different forms and may be located in, for example, within the present-day cities.

At least the members are free to move between different units.

Step ends when the necessary amount of resources for the establishment of a large unit has been reached ..

Phase 3 - A large unit

This would be a circular city or equivalent. At this stage the cooperative is almost completely self-sufficient.The unit generates as much resources and funds that the planning of the next large unit can be started.

The phase ends when the necessary amount of resources has been achieved for the establishment of a large unit.

Phase 4 - Large units are set up at an accelerated rate

The phase is over when most people in the world live in these units.