Computers for Programming Workshops

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CTVC?

It is a collective of autonomous professionals constituted under the legal form of a cooperative, that is, a private law society, but non-profit. The surpluses generated are not distributed as profit, but re-invested, applied for collective benefit, in accordance with cooperative principles. It is a collaborative company, where workers are also the owners. It integrates components of agency, research center and collaborative workspace, without being limited to any of these, orienting itself as a shared resource management system and a space for collective action. The cooperative's mission is to promote the well-being of its members and transform the community through technology.

How are decisions made in the Cooperative?

Decisions in the cooperative are made democratically in assemblies, where all members have the right to vote.

I want to become a member, how does it work?

At the moment, we do not integrate new members with whom we do not yet have a cooperation relationship. The first step is to propose a joint initiative that can bring value to the Cooperative and/or the community. The admission of new members is also conditional on economic participation, through the purchase of shares, in alignment with the same principle. All membership applications are submitted to the Assembly Board and are dependent on unanimous approval, as stipulated in our statutes.

I am also part of a cooperative or non-profit organization, how can we collaborate?

By the principle of Inter-cooperation, our cooperative is committed to collaborating with other organizations aligned with our values, sharing resources, knowledge and good practices to promote collective impact. We are always open to exploring synergies, whether through providing services at reduced rates or even through volunteering, especially in software development and organizing events related to education and technological accessibility.

How does the Cooperative finance itself?

We sustain the cooperative through three main ways: (i) economic participation of members (e.g., quotas or purchase of shares), (ii) projects carried out directly by the cooperative as a service provider, as long as they are aligned with its objectives, and, above all, by (iii) the autonomous professional activity of cooperatives who choose to domicile their income in the cooperative — which allows them, if they so wish, to access an employment contract and benefit from a more favorable contributory framework.

How can I contribute to the Cooperative's objectives without becoming a member?

You can contribute by participating in initiatives, helping to bring clients or funded projects, or by providing services through the cooperative. We always have more projects than time. Even if you have a regular professional activity, you can collaborate occasionally, get paid for it and, at the same time, strengthen the cooperative's impact. If you know how to program, a great way to get involved is as a volunteer in Programming Workshops.

Does the cooperative operate only in Viana do Castelo or does it have national/international reach?

Our identity is deeply rooted in Viana do Castelo and, currently, our action is concentrated in the municipality. However, we have as a future objective to aggregate members from the entire district, gradually expanding our impact. Despite the focus being primarily local, we maintain contact with the national and international cooperative ecosystem, seeking to bring value and contribute to strengthening the cooperative movement. We work so that Viana do Castelo can participate in a new wave of cooperative innovation.

How can I stay updated about the Cooperative?

The best way to stay updated is to subscribe to our newsletter (you can find the form at the bottom of this page). For more direct contact, you can join our Discord server (a chat platform) through this link.

Computers for Programming Workshops

Computers for Programming Workshops

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