From principles to participation: 'The Statement on the Cooperative Identity' and Higher Education Co-operatives

•Identifies Education Co-operatives as response to neoliberal takeover of education.•Argues Co-operative Identity a vital resource for Education Co-operatives.•Re-interprets Co-operative Identity for Higher Education Co-operative. There has been a strong co-operative response to the neoliberal takeover of education in recent years, with both co-operative schools and higher education emerging in the UK. In this article we label these ‘Education Co-operatives’ as a distinctive form of co-operation, and consider the implications of this for the movement. Drawing on the historical importance of Co-operative Identity, we argue that whilst it is a valuable resource for Higher Education Co-operatives, it needs be interpreted carefully for their multiple contexts. With reference to Bourdieu’s forms of capital, we advocate a more nuanced understanding of member economic participation as part of a broader attempt to translate the Co-operative Identity to Education Co-operatives. Finally, we point to the importance of the emerging co-operative educational ecosystem and the scope for the sector to grow its membership by engaging new groups in co-operation, as well as considering the challenges this poses. At the heart of all of this, we argue, sits the Co-operative Identity.