Co-ops and mutuals work across the board, creating more sustainable communities. Here, we look at eight sectors.
Worker co-ops and employee-owned businesses trade in such diverse fields as wholefoods, papermaking, energy efficiency, healthcare and tourism.
Scotland's housing co-ops operate over 7,000 homes and have an annual turnover of £19m.
An area with great potential for development is renewable energy - including wind farms, biomass and biofuels.
Consumer-owned retail co-operatives are the oldest form of co-operative in Scotland; the first recorded being the Fenwick Weavers in 1769.
There are 80 farmers' co-ops in Scotland operating in every part of the country. Their activities include food processing and marketing, as well as machinery and labour rings.
Supporters' trusts have been established to give football fans a greater say in the running of their clubs.
A unique service for schools, Co-operate to Succeed works to bring the attributes of a co-operative approach within enterprise in education.
Building societies, insurance companies, credit unions and a bank make up Scotland's co-operative financial sector.