In an era where data shapes every aspect of our digital lives, the question of who holds power over this vital resource has profound societal implications. Data ownership and governance inequalities must be addressed to ensure individuals and communities have a voice, choice, and stake in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
We are proud to announce the release of “How Can Data Cooperatives Help Build a Fair Data Economy? Preliminary Observations and Considerations for Practical Data Governance Solutions,” an initial report in collaboration with the Decentralization Research Center. This report sets the stage for exploring and evaluating the potential for cooperatives to address market shortcomings, empower individuals, and deliver communal benefits that extend to today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Drawing on insights from 16 leading experts, the report highlights the opportunities and challenges of adapting cooperative business principles to the governance of data. From analyzing successful cooperative models to addressing gaps in digital infrastructure and legal frameworks, the report serves as both a call to action and builds towards a roadmap for building a fairer data ecosystem.
As 2025 marks the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, we invite you to join this initiative to experiment, learn, and refine solutions that prioritize data agency, fairness, and collective benefit.