Cooperatives play an essential role in sustainable development, providing their members with equitable economic opportunities and contributing to collective well-being. The principle of "well-being for all," founded on equity and solidarity, entails not only the active participation of members in cooperative activities but also an efficient legal framework that protects their rights and interests. The article analyzes the individual role of cooperative members in promoting sustainable development, with a particular focus on the legal protection granted to them in various legislative systems. Through a comparative law approach, the study examines regulations from multiple national legal systems, the European Union, and relevant international standards. It highlights the differences and commonalities between these regulatory frameworks, especially concerning participation rights, access to resources, and legal protection mechanisms against abuses. The analysis identifies the major challenges that cooperative members face in exercising their rights and proposes legislative and institutional solutions to strengthen their protection. Ultimately, the article emphasizes the importance of a harmonized legal framework that supports both the sustainable economic development of cooperatives and the legal security of their members, thus ensuring the fulfillment of the "well-being for all" principle.
Dima et al. (Mon,) studied this question.