Building Autonomy Through Ecology in Rojava

Rojava – After almost seven years since the war in Syria began, battles between Kurdish-led democratic forces (SDF/YPG/YPJ) and Daesh (IS) have left the Islamic State nearly defeated throughout the region. When Rojava was liberated from direct Syrian government control in summer 2012, this set off a political revolution towards a self-organized democratic society across the northern regions of the

The Formation of a Bakery Co-operative Committee in Sheddadi

The Committee of Industry, which was formed by the Union of Co-operatives in the Jazira Canton [Kantona Cizîrê‎ / Cezîre] formed a committee for a bakery co-operative in Sheddadi [Şeddadê / Shaddadi / Shaddadah]. The meeting where the committee was formed was attended by 52 of the bakery co-operative shareholders, and Samir Sadeq, a member of the Committee of

Adiba Relies on Shilêr Co-operative to Make Her Living

Adiba Tawoos moved from Aleppo to Qamishlo [Qamişlo / Qamishli / Al-Qamishli] seven years ago, and now she works in Şilêr Co-operative [pronounced Shi-lair]. We had an interview with her, she said, “We didn’t have work, but since the Rojava revolution we’ve been getting work opportunities to provide us with our daily bread.” Fifty-four year old Adiba moved to

Women in Afrin Work Communally in Agriculture

A great part of the agriculture in Afrin [Afrîn / Efrîn‎] relies on women’s labour. Women living in rural areas work in agriculture, co-exist with nature and improve their economy. The agricultural work of women is often characterised by collective work; women get together and go to work in the fields and gardens. This scene is

Two Years After Opening, Suz Co-operative Meets Most of Afrin’s Needs

A food enterprise project in the area of Rajo [Reco / Raju] in Afrin [Kantona Efrînê‎ / Afrîn] has achieved great success through the participation of many people who see it as their main choice for buying household necessities. The siege imposed on Afrin by the Ba’athist regime and the mercenary groups has caused inflation and food shortages, therefore Suz Co-operative Society in