Last year, the number of creation business cooperatives in Alicante declined, following a notable event. Their recovery in 2021 had been linked to pandemic effects on the labor market, according to Fevecta’s latest balance, which also stresses that this model is increasingly seen as a viable option for those looking to start a business or redirect their professional paths. It is a format that also resonates with younger aspirants.
In Valencia Community, up to 150 new work cooperatives were formed in the last year, compared with 159 the year before. Of these, 77 were in the province of Valencia, 60 in Alicante, and 13 in Castellón. In Alicante, the figure represents a 25.9% drop from 2021, when 81 new cooperatives were added and growth reached 26% amid the restrictions from the pandemic. This has prompted Fevecta to implement standardized guidance for the sector.
These types of associations involve members sharing work and the essential means of production to develop projects. Historically, they offered a business opportunity when employment was scarce or to rescue distressed companies through worker-led initiatives. Today, the landscape has evolved, and many people choosing this model are shifting course rather than clinging to traditional paths.
It is interesting to note that in 2022, two-thirds of the individuals seeking Fevecta’s advisory services to establish a cooperative are not primarily looking for a job. Their aim is often to improve their situation or pivot their career. About 40% of these seekers are current employees who want to assume leadership roles and decide what to work on after a prior professional experience, according to Fevecta’s president Emilio Sampedro.
Although the province did not reach its 2019 employment figures, it finished the year with 26,900 more jobs than in 2020.
Fevecta’s federation president notes that 30% of these entrepreneurs were under 30 years old, a sign that the cooperative model appeals to young people as they enter the labor market and pursue professional growth. At the same time, it underscores the need to make visible the advantages of the model when accessing assistance, capitalizing on subsidies, or leveraging a harmonized code of values for self-employment under this structure.
In total, Valencia Community added 394 new direct jobs in 2022 through cooperatives, with 61% of roles held by men and 39% by women, a 1.5% increase from the previous year.
activities
From a sector perspective, 60.6% of the new cooperatives established in 2022 concentrated in the services sector, with remaining activity spread across other areas. The retail sector accounted for around 12%, industry about 8%, education 3.3%, and public transport 3.3%.
Fevecta’s consultancy data also reveal that 53% of users were female, 47% highly educated, 57% aged 25–45, and 38% employed by someone else.
Alicante ended the year with the lowest unemployment rate since 2007
Regarding the employment status of those seeking to form a cooperative, last year the largest group seeking guidance were employees, representing 38%—a peak not seen since 2008. Self-employed individuals accounted for 27.9%, those who had been unemployed for another year for 25.4%, and others who were gradually moving away from the labor market, at 6.9%, with students at 1.8%.
In terms of age, the 25–45 bracket remains the most common at 57%, followed by those over 45 at 37%, with under-25 individuals representing 6%.