Co-operative resilience in economic downturns

Laia Bonastra, president of social care co-operative Suara and co-president of the Federation of Labour Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCTC), has reaffirmed the resilience of co-operative business models during economic crises. Speaking to VIA Empresa, Bonastra stated that co-operatives emerge stronger from downturns than other business structures due to deep-rooted member commitment and shared values. Bonastra cited examples from Suara’s own history, including during the 2012 economic crisis when childcare units faced closures. Instead of layoffs, members chose to redistribute work and reduce hours collectively to preserve jobs. In another case, workers accepted unpaid overtime for four years to sustain a low-margin public contract.

“At co-operatives, we reinvest results into our mission and the common good.”

Sustainable care models under pressure

Bonastra warned that the current care system in Catalonia is unsustainable for public administrations, families, and care professionals. With projections showing a 92% increase in the population aged over 65 by 2051, she stressed that there will not be enough workers to meet demand. Suara, which employs nearly 6,000 people and generated €162 million in revenue in 2025, is developing technological solutions to support care delivery. These include telepresence initiatives like Casal TV and sensor-based monitoring systems to detect changes in routine that may indicate health issues. The co-operative received nearly €1.5 million in 2024 from the Generalitat’s Social Economy Singular Projects scheme to advance digital transformation in care services, under the Department of Enterprise and Labour.

Reinvestment and governance

In 2025, Suara recorded a surplus of €2.43 million, which was reinvested in line with co-operative law. Funds were allocated to mandatory and voluntary reserve funds, education in co-operativism, and projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Member proposals are voted on annually. Bonastra highlighted that 88% of Suara’s workforce are women, and the co-operative actively ensures gender balance in leadership. The governing council includes seven women and two men.

Co-operatives and public policy

Bonastra called for deeper collaboration between co-operatives and public administrations, advocating for co-creation of public policy rather than traditional tendering processes. She noted that while many public contracts are awarded via competitive bidding, co-operatives offer long-term social value that should be better recognised. She also encouraged knowledge exchange between co-operatives and startups, citing partnerships with tech firms like Broomx to explore immersive reality applications in mental health and grief support.

Primary sources: govern.cat, feinaactiva.gencat.cat. Reported by suara.coop, viaempresa.cat.