Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen was a German social reformer born on March 30, 1818. He is best known for founding the cooperative movement in Germany, which aimed to support local farmers and improve their economic conditions. Raiffeisen established the first rural credit union in 1864, promoting the idea of mutual aid and self-help among community members. His principles laid the groundwork for the development of cooperative societies, which focus on collective ownership and shared benefits. Today, Raiffeisen's legacy continues through various cooperative organizations, including the Raiffeisen Banks and the Raiffeisen Group, which operate in many countries worldwide.