GOEL Social Cooperative Consortium

Founded in 2003, GOEL is a Calabrian cooperative group that combats the regional mafia ‘ndrangheta and promotes social change. Its name, meaning ‘redeemer’, reflects its mission to defend the weak in a region plagued by unemployment, poverty and organised crime. GOEL’s strategy uses ‘effective ethics’ to delegitimise violence and provide an ethical alternative, demonstrating that ethical practices are both just and successful. The initial GOEL’s strategy was to utilise media campaigns as a means of countering the attacks perpetrated by ‘ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia. Following the implementation of several ‘Restart Parties’, there has been a notable cessation in significant incidents against GOEL over a period of several years. GOEL operates in various sectors, including social services and ethical businesses such as CANGIARI fashion and GOEL Bio organic farming. The organisation employs disadvantaged individuals and is resistant to mafia influence. The group’s organisational structure fosters collaboration among cooperatives, thereby optimising the utilisation of resources and facilitating market access. The absence of mafia violence in the region for several years is indicative of a substantial shift in the local power dynamic and an increase in community trust. While it is challenging to quantify, this phenomenon constitutes a substantial component of social transformation.