Ameland islanders are forming a cooperative to establish their own ferry service to the mainland, challenging the existing operator, Wagenborg, which they claim prioritizes profit over the needs of the community. The move is inspired by Texel’s successful TESO ferry service, a social enterprise owned by island residents focused on service and affordability.

The cooperative aims to address issues such as fully booked ferries that prevent Amelanders from accessing essential services like chemotherapy appointments on the mainland. Residents find it difficult to travel to the mainland and return on the same day, while tourists book tickets far in advance.

This initiative reflects a broader resurgence of cooperative models as alternatives to traditional capitalist structures. The cooperative spirit is presented as a way to resist corporate dominance and empower communities.

The article draws parallels with historical examples, such as the writers’ association that protected publishing house De Bezige Bij from a takeover. The Writers’ Association, mobilized its members preventing a merger that would have left the company vulnerable to exploitation.

The cooperative model is presented as a contemporary response to the failures of neoliberalism. Across the Netherlands, citizens are forming energy cooperatives, housing corporations, and acquiring local businesses, seeking greater control and solidarity.

The article highlights Mondragón, a large cooperative empire in Spanish Basque Country, as an example of the potential scale and impact of cooperative ventures. Starting with a small group of workers, it has grown into a major company with thousands of employee co-owners.

Cooperatives are portrayed as a way to redistribute power and empower people. They promote democracy by giving people influence, involvement, and a voice, offering a soft resistance to the logic of market returns.