In any country, if someone has a job, there are two options: working for an employer in a private or public company, large or small, or working on one’s own project. But not everyone has the budget to develop a business, to run a store, to take all the economic or administrative risks. Is that a reason not to get it done anyway? Not to give a try?

Say, for instance… One person starts delivering products locally. Another is taking care of the gardens of all the houses in a street. A guitar player works in a band, records an album, and also performs solo concerts in the late evenings. A hat designer has already found several stores willing to sell her products. A computer coder has found ten steady clients. Another one cooks and sells organic waffles at local festivals. Or works as a consultant for public transport optimization. Everywhere, there are thousands like them, with thousands of different professions, artists, startup leaders, full-time or part-time workers. They have found customers, clients, public, willing to pay for their work.

But how to organize, which contracts, how to calculate expenses and the salary while respecting laws, taxes, insurance and contributions? How to send an invoice? All of this sometimes seems hard and complicated if you have to do it alone. A day only has 24 hours.

Under Belgian law, one can be employed in a company, or be self-employed for his project but with all the risks and with expensive medical and social protection.

There was a gap! A need for a less distressing option, and to unleash job creation. Something in between. Founded in 1998, the Smart co-operative now brings together more than 38,000 people who work separately for their 38,000 professions, with shared management tools and resources for collective use. Separately yes, but together! Each has his or her own personal idea, his or her personal project, gets advice and support, and can work within a wider common goal: a shared company, the official employer of 38,000 professionals.

And that could work anywhere in the world… or at the very least, it might be an inspiration for everyone, showing that it is possible to offer a large-scale alternative to a capitalist economy — which unfortunately aims to be more and more flexible, and individualize rather than to secure and promote collective solidarity. As there are several other Smart cooperatives in Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria… and similar innovations growing all over the planet.

We believe in a shared project, open to anyone, to any kind of job. We believe in democracy at work.

We are SmartCoop. Welcome!

Find out more about Smart via their website:
smart.coop

Also, you can check them out on social media: