Ativos e aportes do cooperativismo ao desenvolvimento regional: um olhar regional, do local para o global.

This study deals with cooperativism and its impacts on the regional development. The aim of this study is to map assets and positive inputs in the development process of the Missions-Northwest region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.  In terms of methodology, the research is characterized as a case study, qualitative, documentary and field, exploratory and descriptive in nature (STUMPF, 2005) The study recognizes inter and intraregional inequalities, highlighting the Missions-Northwest region, and cooperative evolution has played an important role in the region's development process. The study confirms that the priorities and actions of cooperatives, with limited intercooperation practices and little value added to production chains, could be significantly higher. Despite some limitations and difficulties, the cooperatives have been complying with the fundamentals of their own nature, which is to contribute to the dynamics and process of economic and social development in the region.