This month we formally registered Ensemble Pour la Difference as a cooperative under DRC law based on the OHADA guidelines. Initially we considered registering as a not-for- profit although with some hesitation given that EPD applies commercial principles and intends to make a profit. We also considered registering as a limited company but our remit is to improve the social good as well as (if not more than) being profitable and our daily work breaks out of the narrow remit of a limited company.
The principles and rules around a cooperative society suit us much better and give us the flexibility to work with loans and donations, to charge fees and to invite additional members to work with us. We hope Ensemble will become a coalition of interested people and organisations and a cooperative framework is ideal if this turns out to be reality.