1. A continuous activity producing goods and/or selling services;
2. A high degree of autonomy;
3. A significant level of economic risk;
4. A minimum amount of paid work;
5. An explicit aim to benefit the community;
6. An initiative launched by a group of citizens;
7. A decision-making power not based on capital ownership;
8. A participatory nature, which involves the persons affected by the activity;
9. Limited profit distribution. (Defourny, 2001, pp. 16–18)