Development of cooperatives through the entrepreneurial ecosystem approach

Cooperatives have become a key player in the social economy, contributing essentially to the improvement of population well-being and the development of communities and localities. They have demonstrated resilience in times of crisis and have shown that they can cope with contemporary societal challenges. Due to this, European institutions and international organizations advocate for the advancement of cooperatives as an effective business model and suggest that governments provide assistance to cooperatives and other social economy enterprises in achieving their socioeconomic objectives and executing development policies. Despite their increasing evolution, cooperatives have yet to fully realize their potential for economic growth and social inclusion. One of the main causes is the lack of a systemic approach to the problems faced by cooperatives, the internal and external factors that influence their activities, and their development prospects. In this regard, the application of an innovative approach in designing development strategies for cooperatives and their activities the concept of the entrepreneurial ecosystem for cooperatives - will facilitate the transition towards a growthoriented policy by leveraging the potential and contribution of all elements of the cooperative ecosystem. The aim of this research is to assess the importance and role of cooperatives in contemporary society, to conceptualize the cooperatives ecosystem, and to use this approach in the strategic planning process for the development of the consumer cooperatives sector in the Republic of Moldova. The research employed a diverse array of methodological tools, encompassing multiple approaches, methods, and techniques such as bibliographic documentation, analysis and synthesis methods, statistical and econometric methods, questionnaires, interviews, benchmarking, and others. The application of the ecosystem approach in designing the development strategy for consumer cooperatives in Moldova until 2030 enabled the creation of a development policy focused on economic growth and well-being, based on innovation and the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.