Laia Bonastra: "The world is changing rapidly, and we need more just, resilient, and humane forms of organization."

Suara is a non-profit worker cooperative, a leader in the personal care sector. In 2024, the cooperative served nearly 150,000 people through a professional team of 5,861 employees, 1,797 of whom are members.

This year, 2025, marks the International Year of Cooperatives. What does this mean for Suara?

— It's a great opportunity to highlight the cooperative model as a real, solid, and transformative alternative. At Suara, we feel part of a global movement that champions putting people at the center, and this year, we want to explain more than ever what this means in our daily lives.

What sets Suara apart from other social sector organizations?

— Our governance model is participatory and democratic: one person, one vote. This means that important decisions are made by all members, regardless of position or seniority. It's a way of organizing that encourages involvement, listening, and shared responsibility.

What impact does this participatory model have on the people who are part of Suara?

— Members truly matter, and this creates a strong sense of belonging. We're talking about a model that empowers and dignifies. We not only want to offer quality services, but also create spaces where employees can learn, grow both personally and professionally, and make decisions and transform the environment.

How is this empowerment realized in everyday life?

— With stable spaces for participation, such as assemblies and working groups, but also with ongoing training, recognition, and internal promotion. Our organization is structured to put people at the center of both management and innovation. Thanks to them, it is possible to both identify needs and test new technological solutions, making us a transformative force in the care model.

Why do you think the cooperative model is a model for the future?

— Because it is capable of responding to major social and economic challenges from a collective perspective, not from the logic of individual profit. Through cooperatives, we can lead a profound transformation of the care model, moving toward services that are more focused on people and communities. The world is changing rapidly, and we need more just, resilient, and humane forms of organization. Cooperativism brings values, roots, and sustainability. We are where our members are, which allows us to operate with greater knowledge of the territory and local commitment.

What message would you like to convey on this International Day of Cooperatives?

— Cooperation is a way of doing things, and above all, of being. It means building through listening, co-responsibility, and commitment to the community. It means being an active part of a project that puts the common good above individual interest. In a time of so many global challenges, cooperativism is more necessary than ever.