By creating a platform for a collective and representative voice of an industry or sector, the co-operative movement is able to establish strategic partnerships with the state to work on laws and regulations beneficial to co-operatives but which also respects their autonomy and right to member democratic control. By evidencing the success and necessity of certain legislative structures, requests for action in the legislative area in question gains credibility and substance.

Similarly, working in coordination to interact with the state and around legislative issues provides a visibility and platform necessary for working with non-co-operative sectors and issues, for example with labour unions, other third sector social economy organisations such as non-profit enterprises, charities and other civil society organisations towards greater social visions, aims and objectives.