COOPERATIVES IN DEVELOPMENT

Photo: © Rosario Parra

As people-centred businesses, cooperatives are owned and run by their members, who have an equal say in what their organisation does and how it generates and uses profits.
Cooperatives are a tried-and-tested model in international development, enabling people around the world to take control over their livelihoods.

Strengthening cooperatives is, therefore, an established way to empower people and local communities to take charge of their own development, putting people before profit.

About the ICA-EU partnership

In March 2016, the International Cooperative Alliance entered into a partnership with the European Commission (also known as #coops4dev?), ushering in a new phase of collaboration on strengthening the cooperative movement as key actor in international development.

Acting as partners, the Regional and Global offices of the ICA are driving the actions, in collaboration with members, sectors, civil society organisations, international institutions and the EU, aiming at strengthening the cooperative voice in international development programs and policies.

The partnership is built around growing visibility, enhancing advocacy, sharing and providing capacity building, strengthening cooperative development networking, establishing partnerships with other stakeholders, and supporting the whole with evidence from research.

Main #coops4dev? activities and achievements

A historic recognition within the new EU Consensus on Development, co-signed by the EU Commission, Parliament and Council; 3 strong references point out the cooperative role as key actors in the implementation of the Agenda 2030
International Cooperative Development Platform (ICDP)
Publications on cooperatives and development
Legal Framework Analysis and Mapping Research
Training and capacity building
Global Cooperative Entrepreneurs programme (GCE, #GCEcoops)
Global Youth Forum on Cooperative Entrepreneurship 2020 (#GYF20)
aroundtheworld.coop documentary film project