Cooperating to Transform: The Impact of School Cooperatives on Sicredi Centro Serra

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the impact of the School Cooperatives promoted by Sicredi Centro Serra as instruments of social, educational and community transformation. It seeks to understand how these initiatives contribute to the development of leadership skills, social responsibility and citizenship among students, as well as their effects on pedagogical practice and the local community. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework articulates the principles of cooperativism (MacPherson, Birchall, Schneider), the pedagogy of autonomy (Freire, Freinet, Dewey) and the history of the cooperative movement in Brazil, especially in Rio Grande do Sul. The concepts of cooperative education and active learning are highlighted, situating school cooperatives as transformative practices aligned with emancipatory education and regional development. Method: The research adopted a qualitative approach, based on a case study and content analysis (Bardin). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students, teachers, managers and leaders of the cooperative, as well as documentary analysis of institutional reports and records. The collection sought to capture perceptions about the effects of school cooperatives on young people's education and on the school environment. Results and Discussion: The results show that participation in school cooperatives strengthens interpersonal skills, youth protagonism, critical thinking and collaborative practices. Ex-members' statements reveal a direct impact on their career choice, while educators point to improvements in oratory, autonomy and student engagement. Fecoopes' work expands regional coordination and the program's sustainability. The analysis dialogues with cooperative principles and confirms the effectiveness of cooperative education as a transformative practice. Research implications: The research reinforces the value of school cooperatives as innovative and replicable pedagogical strategies to promote inclusion, empowerment and local development. It also suggests the importance of public policies and ongoing institutional support for the consolidation of these initiatives in different educational and cooperative contexts. Originality/Value: The study contributes to the field of social management by highlighting the role of school cooperatives as vectors of educational and community change. It points to a model of cooperative education that combines theory and practice, strengthening youth protagonism and sustainable development in territories marked by inequalities.