-2017
Some time after 2015 in TZM/TVP spaces, mostly on Facebook, there was a few discussion threads about how we can actually create the transition to RBE. A facebook group called “transition phase to RBE/Finland” played a big role.
There was a lot of discussion whether we should create an intentional community, a business, NPO or something else, but nothing seemed to be quite right.
From those discussion came the idea of creating a co-op that would create small communities of 5-10 people called units. Those units would gather funding for the next unit and so the speed of growth would be accelerating.
2017
“trade-free co-op” document in finnish was written in january 2017
The document detailed ideas of stages of the process, ownership model, what technologies should be used, rules of the co-op and so on. You can read it here https://kotocoop.org/description/
(half) Jokingly simple models were created that showed an estimation of 8 billion people living in the units in 25-80 years.
the idea was discussed mostly with TZM current and former activists during the year and we tried to start the project with a few people in autumn.
Not enough interest was found and because of lack of time the idea was put on hold.
A lot of learning happened during the years. Construction, calculations and so on.
2018
In the spring of 2018 the description document was translated to English and published.
We were too busy with other activism in TZM, other organizations, work and problems with personal life so the idea was mostly talked when ever people met.
2019
In 2019 we had pretty much given up on the idea (and pretty much in TZM too), but Jeukku joined TZM European meeting in Sweden in during the summer and it was such a great event that passion for building the better world was awaken again. After the event Jeukku decided to commit to creating the co-op.
2020
After some huge setbacks and reflection of activism, finally in spring 2020 Jeukku and Juuso in TZM Finland decided to make Koto Co-op its main project.
We started setting up the organization and processes to get things done and we had a few projects about energy created with biogas, what other, etc and in the summer we finally made a Koto Co-op official business located Finland.
A new model for operations was created which approached the idea from a bit of a different perspective (https://kotocoop.org/about/model/)
At first we made funding our main goal since we agreed that acquiring the first unit is our top priority. To get there we need to make Koto a working business that can sell services and accept support from the public.
In the autumn of 2020 we decided that in 2021 spring, we will found our first unit with what ever funding we have at the time.
During the last few months we have been developing the organization, focused on funding and recruiting more people in the teams.
2021
Koto celebrated its first anniversary in May. A small technology team joined, focused on electrical systems, and the year was spent searching for the first unit — bidding on properties, evaluating options — until in the summer we found it: an estate in Rääkkylä, North Karelia. A 480 m² building on a one-hectare plot, with electricity and water connections available. We named it Auroora.
Auroora: The first resident moved in during autumn and renovations began — floors torn up, asbestos surveyed and dealt with, firewood stocked for winter. Auroora got its own section on the website. The co-op was no longer just an idea. It was a place.
2022
Auroora: The property was opened to summer visitors and the first outside person found us through social media expressing interest in living there. A permaculture designer joined and began planning a comprehensive garden layout for the land. Renovation work continued throughout the year.
Teams: Work parties became the rhythm of the year — summer and autumn talkoot brought people together for hands-on building. A fundraising campaign by the support association gathered several hundred euros from supporters to cover work party costs.
2023
Auroora: A longer stay at the property tested practical everyday living — heating, cooking, tracking costs — giving a clearer picture of what life there actually involves. In autumn the first batch of fruit trees and berry bushes was ordered for a forest garden: blueberries, aronia, gooseberries, sea buckthorn, cherries, raspberries, apple and hazelnut.
Teams: We built infrastructure to share our work more widely: articles and blog posts started publishing automatically from our document system to the website and onward to social media channels.
2024
Auroora: In August we held the first public open day — a relaxed afternoon with soup, coffee and conversation, inviting both our own networks and people from the nearby village. By the end of the year the major renovations were approaching completion, with the heating system, floors and key structural work largely finished. The first permanent resident was preparing to move in at the start of 2025.
Teams: A new Finnish-language website was launched at kotoosuuskunta.org. A series of workshops began exploring what kind of small-scale production the co-op could develop as a livelihood. A new strategy process was started to clarify the long-term vision.
2025
Auroora: The year began with renovation of the heating system — and during that time the property had its first winter resident, living there from January through to spring, watching the work progress through frost and thaw. A second permanent resident moved in during the summer, bringing the first real daily community life to the space. The heating system was eventually repaired using spare parts, saving significant replacement costs. The chimneys were inspected and approved. Cooperation with a Finnish environmental organisation brought a work party weekend focused on planting the forest garden, with travel and food covered through their support. A joint funding application was submitted to an EU regenerative communities fund.
Teams: Regular monthly meetings were established. A new strategy was published. The year ended with plans taking shape for 2026: a greenhouse, business development workshops, and a research group residency at Auroora in the summer.
2026
Auroora: The greenhouse is being built. A research group of seven people is planning a working residency at the property in July.
Teams: A business development team has formed and held its first workshop, working on what Koto can offer as a livelihood for its members. The work continues — steadily, collectively, with our hands in the soil and our eyes on a longer horizon.