The Rojava Revolution, which began in Kobanê on July 19, 2012 and later spread across the entire region of North and East Syria, enters its 13th year with a distinctive economic model rooted in democratic confederalism and ecological society.
Built on local self-governance, organized through cooperatives, and aiming for harmony with nature, this economic system strives to meet the needs of the region’s population and strengthen social solidarity, despite war, embargoes, and ongoing instability.
In the second part of our report, Ciwan Shikrî, Co-Chair of the Cooperatives Committee of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, reflects on the region’s agriculture- and livestock-based cooperative model and its contributions to the communal economy. Ferhad Dede, spokesperson for the Star Salt Cooperative, shares the story of the cooperative’s founding, its impact on the regional economy, and the experience of different ethnic groups working together.
The role of cooperatives in the communal economy
Which products can the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria produce self-sufficiently, without dependence on external sources?
Due to its vast agricultural lands, the region of North and East Syria relies primarily on farming as its core economic activity. There is an abundance of agricultural products. Agriculture and livestock remain the most fundamental resources available to us, and cooperatives built upon this foundation have proven successful. Our society is an agrarian society. Working the land collectively has always been part of the people’s nature. That is why there is a strong agricultural foundation. Seventy percent of our economy depends on agriculture. Despite many years of war in the region, agricultural production continues. This is a legacy, and as the Autonomous Administration, we have done our best to preserve it. This legacy enables the creation of a communal economy rooted in farming and livestock.
Our cooperatives were established on this basis. The vast majority of our cooperatives focus on agriculture and animal husbandry. Cooperatives must function within the limits of available resources, aiming to ensure that both the cooperative and society benefit economically. It was not like this in the past. Under the rule of the Ba’ath regime, agricultural products were taken as raw materials and used exclusively by the regime itself.
On the one hand, we strive to improve agricultural production. On the other, we work to develop facilities that can process these products industrially. Cooperatives are now being created in this field as well. Ultimately, this is done to ensure the society is not dependent on external sources. In terms of food, clothing, and other necessities, this is seen as a form of self-defense.
For example, cotton is one of the region’s primary crops. We now have factories capable of processing cotton into both inner and outer garments. We have also made progress with bulgur-processing factories. Likewise, dairy factories have been established to process products derived from livestock. We are making efforts to expand our factory infrastructure further.
This process not only demonstrates the success of cooperatives but also brings tangible benefits to the public by lowering prices. We are working to fill the gaps in essential products such as bulgur, pasta, and canned goods. Our main objective is a communal economy, an economy from which the people directly benefit. We achieve this through the cooperative system.
Encouragement is essential to develop these kinds of cooperatives. This effort cannot be carried out solely by the Autonomous Administration, the Cooperatives Committee, or the Economic Assembly. We are trying to present the working examples we have developed to the wider society and enable people to benefit from these experiences. An economy cannot grow without the participation of the people. That is why we are committed to strengthening this model.
The contribution of cooperatives to the economy and their sectoral focus
What kind of contribution do these cooperatives make to the national economy? Which sectors do they primarily focus on, and how does the public benefit?
In addition to the previous points, since the cooperatives are primarily built around agriculture and livestock, it is society as a whole, not just cooperative members, that benefits. Economic development cannot be limited to those directly involved in the cooperatives. The second essential pillar is how the wider society benefits from them. Ultimately, people are being encouraged to form and participate in cooperatives.
How do we understand this impact? By comparing the situation before and after the formation of cooperatives. For example, today a large portion of our bakeries are organized as cooperatives. These bakeries are owned by the workers within them. The products and profits generated are distributed systematically based on a defined set of regulations. For instance, a bakery cooperative may allocate 70 percent of its profits to its members.
Many of the previous problems have been resolved. There has been a visible improvement in the variety and quality of bread. In the past, the public had complaints, and cooperatives helped provide solutions. There is now a clear difference between bread produced before and after the cooperative system. Today’s bread is tastier and more hygienically produced. That is one concrete impact.
Moreover, in the livestock sector, cooperatives based on poultry farming have emerged. In the past, frozen meat had to be imported from outside the region. Over 200 poultry farms were shut down due to the war. However, under current conditions, the locally produced poultry is now more than sufficient for the region. We can say that agriculture and animal husbandry have reached a promising level of development.
Impact on the market and pricing
In this case, can we say that prices have decreased and purchasing power has increased for the public?
That is precisely our goal. Due to the ongoing embargo and siege, we are unable to export our surplus products. If this were possible, the situation would be significantly improved. Should the political issue of recognition and status be resolved, and if we gain access to external markets, it would be possible to achieve greater economic growth and renewal. Although there are still some goods that we must import, our primary solution lies in cooperative development. As we have stated, our foundation is agriculture and livestock, these are the resources we have at our disposal.
All cooperatives are interconnected. In the past, we had to import many things, including eggs. This came at a high cost, which in turn affected the prices of meat and poultry. Today, these cooperatives are structured in a way that creates interconnected circles. As a result, chicken is now widely available and can be purchased at very affordable prices. Just a few years ago, this was not the case.
Vegetable production and seasonal challenges
What is the current situation regarding vegetable cultivation?
Vegetable cultivation in the region is limited by seasonal conditions. Planting of vegetable seedlings begins around the fourth month of the year, and harvesting typically starts by mid-June. However, production is interrupted after a certain period. In autumn, weather conditions shift and yields decrease significantly. Currently, the alternative to this seasonal gap is bio-plastic greenhouse production, which has also been organized under cooperative structures. These greenhouses have been developed to fill the gap during the autumn and winter months, and we can say they have reached a reasonable level of success.
However, this type of production also brings certain challenges. For example, the seeds used are imported, and the maintenance of the crops is quite difficult. You must create a controlled atmosphere. Areas such as Rimêlan are better suited for this kind of production and are taken as reference points, though efforts are underway to expand it to other areas as well. The seasonal shortage of vegetables is being addressed through this method. Bio-plastic greenhouse vegetable production serves as a practical step to meet the region’s needs when the growing season comes to an end.
The impact of cooperatives on the market
How does this affect the market?
Our primary goal is to have a direct impact on the market. We aim to meet the society’s essential consumption needs affordably, without relying on external sources. The cooperative model we follow stands in opposition to the profit-driven principles of the capitalist system. For example, we reject practices such as increasing prices when a product becomes scarce or flooding the market to maximize profit when supply is high. What truly brings relief to the public is this very difference in approach.
The process of establishing a cooperative
What kind of procedure is followed when a group wants to form a cooperative? How does the process work?
There are two main types of cooperatives. The first type is the one supported financially by the administration. For example, in the case of an agricultural cooperative, land may be allocated by the administration, and an agreement is made based on that. Most of the profit remains with the cooperative members. Additionally, there are various support funds in place. For instance, there is a fund created specifically for agricultural machinery. Ten percent of the cooperative’s income is transferred to this fund to support the development and renewal of equipment. If a cooperative wants to replace a tractor that has been in use for two or three years with a better one, this can be done through the accumulated resources in the fund. This mechanism is essential for ensuring the sustainability of the system. This is the type of cooperative financially backed by the administration.
In the second type, cooperative members use their own capital to develop a project. They only organize themselves within the cooperative system. The project is submitted in written form. Our work on this model is ongoing, but the goal is to develop cooperatives based on project proposals coming from communes.
Projects proposed by communes are evaluated through committees established under the Economic and Agricultural Council of North and East Syria. During this evaluation, the specific characteristics of each canton and commune are taken into account. The project must clearly state whether the capital will be provided by the applicants themselves or whether support from the administration is being requested. Cooperatives can be established through either method.
For instance, if three to five people want to start a cooperative, they must submit a written project to their respective canton or city council. If the proposal is approved, a formal agreement is made.
There are also temporary cooperatives, which are dissolved once their goals are achieved. In contrast, there are long-term cooperatives, such as those structured around factory-type production. The regulations clearly define the rights and legal frameworks for cooperative members, as well as the operational mechanisms of the support funds.
All of this information is shared transparently with all cooperative members. In regular meetings, members openly discuss what has been sold, how much income has been generated, any mistakes or shortcomings encountered, and other relevant issues. Annual assemblies are also held to evaluate the progress and direction of the work being done.
The transformation of social consciousness
We continue our efforts to develop this system by working on mental and ideological transformation. One of our key challenges is overcoming the influence of past failed models that still linger in the collective memory of society. People often say, “Many cooperative systems developed by welfare states failed.” In response, we are trying to help society understand the difference and potential of our own model. When practical results are visible, trust begins to grow and with trust comes greater participation.
An example contributing to the communal economy
The story of the Star Salt Cooperative
Ferhad Dede, spokesperson for the Star Salt Cooperative, shares the story of its founding, its contributions to the local economy, and the experience of people from different ethnic backgrounds working together. Despite the hardships of war and embargo, the cooperative aims to meet the region’s salt production needs and stands as a tangible example of the communal economy model in action.
The establishment and operation of the cooperative
First, can you introduce yourself and your cooperative?
I am originally from Afrin (Efrîn). This is a salt production factory, and I serve as its manager. Four months ago, the factory was under the authority of the Economic Council. However, following a series of discussions, it was transferred to the Cooperatives Committee. This change was made with a clear purpose: to help society move toward economic self-sufficiency. Previously, the factory was managed by the Autonomous Administration, and workers were employed for a set wage or through a designated fund. Once it became a cooperative, ownership of the factory transferred to the workers themselves. This is the foundation upon which we now operate.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is currently enduring the conditions of war. The embargo imposed on the region has created many challenges. In this specific case, acquiring the necessary raw materials for salt production has become difficult. Importing these materials from outside results in very high costs. Despite the war and embargo, life and work go on, and everyone is committed to advancing the development of a communal economy.
The factory is structured around different divisions of labor. Both women and men participate equally, each fulfilling their assigned roles. In total, six women and twelve men work at this factory. Work is carried out daily, and every member is considered an owner of this factory. At the end of each month, the profit is distributed fairly among all members, including management, workers, and even the guards at the gate. No one receives more than anyone else.
Decisions are not made individually but collectively, through organizational meetings. Every matter related to the factory, including planning and future initiatives, is discussed and decided upon collectively.
One of the main goals of this cooperative is to meet the region’s salt needs. The aim is to prevent the salt market from being dominated by private traders who may exploit people by selling at high prices. This is the core of our mission.
We do not claim that this operation runs perfectly, but from what we observe, we are currently able to meet approximately 65 to 70 percent of the region’s salt demand.
Our factory operates in two production lines. One line produces 10-kilogram bags intended for bakeries and similar establishments. The other line packages salt into 450-gram bags for household use. All our products are offered at low prices that the public can afford. That, ultimately, is our primary objective.
Inclusive social participation
Can the owners of the cooperative include all communities living in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria?
The true owners of this cooperative are rooted in our project of peoples’ unity and the democratic nation. At this cooperative, 15 of our Arab comrades and 3 Kurdish comrades work side by side. There are no conflicts among components. We work together with a shared spirit, and together, we all own this factory. Our organization and operations are built on this foundation.
Do you have a message for the public to encourage the development of similar cooperatives?
Our call is not only directed at the people of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria but also to all communities across Syria. In a country at war, there is no better path to economic development than the communal and social economy. Owning your own work is better than working under someone else. For those who want to create their own jobs, the way forward is to develop cooperative projects.
As is well known, the economic perspective of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is based on a non-centralized system grounded in democratic confederalism, ecological society, and local self-governance. This perspective is inspired by the democratic nation paradigm of Abdullah Öcalan and offers an alternative to the exploitative, hierarchical, and anti-nature structure of the capitalist system.
One of the main features of this economic approach is that the system is organized through local councils and communes. Rather than being managed by a central authority, production and distribution are shaped according to the needs of local communities. This encourages direct participation of the people in economic decision-making processes.
Within this framework, cooperatives are key pillars of the economic structure. Through cooperatives, production is carried out in agriculture, small-scale industry, and service sectors, aiming for fair distribution of income.
The economy is based on a nature-friendly and sustainable approach. In contrast to the capitalist system’s destructive practices, the Autonomous Administration promotes eco-conscious farming and production methods. For instance, it focuses on organic agriculture by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.
The model also aims to socialize agricultural land and water resources to ensure fair access and usage.
Gender equality is another cornerstone of the economic model. Women play an active role in cooperatives and economic management. In particular, women’s cooperatives play a vital role in agriculture and small-scale production.
This system rejects capitalist individualism and profit-oriented economics. Instead, it embraces principles of social solidarity and fair distribution. Collective ownership is encouraged over private ownership, although individual property is not entirely abolished.
The economic model seeks equal participation from all ethnic and religious groups in the region (Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and others) in order to prevent ethnic or sectarian conflict.
Nonetheless, high inflation and rising living costs severely affect the economic well-being of the population. Following a long war, Syria has yet to achieve internal stability. The ongoing threat and attacks by ISIS, Turkey’s destabilizing interventions, and its continued occupation all continue to undermine economic infrastructure and regional stability.
The economic vision of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is built on a democratic, ecological, and communal model. Local self-governance, cooperatives, and harmony with nature form the cornerstones of this system. However, the ongoing war, surrounding embargoes, and political isolation pose serious obstacles to the implementation of this vision. Despite these challenges, the Autonomous Administration strives to develop this model to meet local needs and to increase its recognition on the international stage.
Source: ANF News
