The baserritars have always had the need to meet in order to deal with the problems that could arise in daily life. Organized in brotherhoods, they all tried to fix the misfortunes that had come to them. This base has been updated by the members of Sutearo, in collaboration to ensure the security of the cottages and cottages. Although they compare them with conventional insurers, they have insisted that they do nothing to gain economic benefit. In other words, the association’s partners make financial contributions which will be used in full for the repair of damage.

The fires have been one of the main concerns of the baserritars, and at first Sutearo dealt exclusively with them. Eventually, they decided to respond to other casualties. Damage caused by rain, wind, hail or snow, floods and theft, among others. At the meetings the partners decide on the cases in which the aid should be given, taking into account the current needs. They also stressed the importance of the social responsibility of the Basque Government. The aim is to ensure the safety of people living in villages and rural areas, and insurance companies have considered households that do not consider them profitable as partners.

They started in Bizkaia and already have partners in Araba and Gipuzkoa, with over 4,000. The geographically close partners have formed the twinties and have established their own internal rules. In principle, Sutear limits its partners to farmhouses and farmhouses. However, it has recognised some exceptions and the possibility of access to the apartments located in the rural areas specified on the web. It may also include housing in the urban area, provided that the partner has previously secured a rural home.

Seeking the appropriate legal framework

The main difficulty encountered so far is the institutional one, which has not existed. Ultimately, it has been classified as a Voluntary Social Security Institution together with those who make pension and similar plans. It was an interim decision, but its status has not yet changed. In recent years, coinciding with the change of legislation, tougher obligations have been imposed on these types of organizations, and the difficulties in complying with them mean that associations such as Sutearo are at risk of disappearing. They do not think it is fair that the same demands should be made of mutual societies, as they do not seek economic benefits.

Partnerships based on alternative social economies still need an appropriate legal framework to carry out their business without hindrance, knowing that more and more initiatives put social and monetary benefits first.