Cooperatives: an alternative to water privatization in Greece

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this article is to investigate the organization of water cooperatives in Greece for the first time, as promoted by a spontaneous social mobilization called Initiative 136. The above attempt appears as an alternative proposition as opposed to the state-driven full privatization of EYATH S.A.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents previous work on water cooperatives and the negative effects of water privatization worldwide, relating it to water privatization in Greek reality through the prism of the current recession.

Findings

While full privatization under the pressure of the economic crisis is very likely to yield significantly negative results, a transformation into a water cooperative might provide a viable solution.

Research limitations/implications

Water cooperatives provide a solution for water distribution that is friendly for the consumer, the society and the environment.

Practical implications

Application of a cooperative method of water provision in Greece could be a springboard for the use of the model in other areas.

Originality/value

The article evaluates the privatization and cooperativization attempt of EYATH S.A. based on previous related research and considering Greece ' s current conditions.

Citation

Douvitsa, I. and Kassavetis, D. (2014), "Cooperatives: an alternative to water privatization in Greece", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 135-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-10-2013-0039