INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVES

**International cooperatives** refer to cooperative organizations that operate across national borders or have a global reach, either by supporting a network of local cooperatives or by addressing global challenges through international collaboration. These cooperatives are often created to foster solidarity among member organizations from different countries, share resources, provide technical assistance, and promote the cooperative model worldwide.

### Key Types of International Cooperatives:

1. **International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)**:

   – **Overview**: The ICA is the leading global organization for cooperatives, founded in 1895. It represents cooperatives worldwide and works to promote and strengthen the cooperative movement. The ICA is an umbrella organization with members in over 100 countries, including national cooperative federations, sectoral organizations, and cooperative enterprises.

   – **Mission**: The ICA aims to advocate for cooperatives globally, promote cooperative values and principles, and serve as a platform for international cooperation and exchange among cooperatives.

   – **Key Activities**:

– Advocacy for cooperative-friendly policies at the international level (including with the United Nations and the International Labour Organization).

– Hosting international events like the **International Summit of Cooperatives**.

– Providing resources, tools, and training to strengthen cooperative enterprises.

– Promoting the **UN’s International Year of Cooperatives** and other initiatives to raise awareness about cooperatives worldwide.

2. **Cooperative Development Organizations**:

   – **Examples**:

– **Cooperatives Europe**: The regional organization representing the interests of cooperatives in Europe. It promotes the cooperative model within the European Union and advocates for policies that support cooperatives.

     – **World Fair Organization (WFO)**: A global platform for cooperatives involved in fair trade and sustainable development. WFO represents cooperatives working in agriculture, retail, and artisan sectors with a focus on fair trade principles.

   – **Mission**: These organizations help cooperatives expand globally, often providing technical assistance, funding, and training to cooperatives in developing countries or transition economies.

3. **International Worker Cooperatives**:

   – **Overview**: Worker cooperatives that are part of international networks often collaborate to share resources, knowledge, and best practices. These cooperatives are owned and managed by workers, and they frequently form alliances to gain economies of scale, strengthen their collective bargaining power, and build solidarity.

   – **Examples**:

– **The CICOPA (International Confederation of Workers’ Cooperatives)**: CICOPA represents worker cooperatives globally, focusing on the promotion of democratic worker ownership and cooperative businesses.

– **The Worker Cooperative Network**: An international alliance that supports worker cooperatives, helping them grow through cross-border collaborations, and focusing on advocacy and policy development.

   – **Key Activities**:

– Organizing international conferences and training sessions for worker cooperatives.

– Facilitating global campaigns for worker rights and democracy in the workplace.

– Providing resources on cooperative governance and business models.

4. **International Agricultural Cooperatives**:

– **Overview**: Agricultural cooperatives are some of the most widespread forms of cooperatives internationally. These cooperatives bring together farmers and agricultural producers to share resources, increase market access, improve bargaining power, and implement sustainable farming practices.

   – **Examples**:

     – **AgriCord**: A global alliance of agricultural cooperatives that supports the development of agricultural cooperatives in the global south. It provides funding, training, and expertise to help cooperatives in developing countries build resilience and increase productivity.

     – **La Via Campesina**: A movement of smallholder farmers, peasants, and agricultural workers that advocates for food sovereignty, sustainable agriculture, and the rights of rural communities. While it’s not a traditional cooperative, it works closely with cooperatives and farmers’ unions.

   – **Key Activities**:

– Promoting fair trade and direct market access for smallholder farmers.

– Providing technical support and infrastructure development for agricultural cooperatives.

– Advocacy on issues like climate change, land rights, and food security.

5. **International Consumer Cooperatives**:

   – **Overview**: Consumer cooperatives operate on the principle that consumers can collectively organize to purchase goods and services at favorable prices. International consumer cooperatives share best practices, resources, and support for promoting cooperative businesses.

   – **Examples**:

– **Co-op Federation of the United States**: An example of an international organization supporting consumer cooperatives. It advocates for consumer cooperatives, especially in retail, and provides resources for starting and running co-ops.

     – **Cooperative Group (UK)**: One of the largest cooperative organizations in the world, the Co-op Group includes a wide range of consumer goods and services, from supermarkets to insurance, with a strong international presence.

   – **Key Activities**:

– Coordinating purchasing and supply chain activities to benefit members.

– Promoting sustainable products and practices.

– Engaging in cooperative education and community development.

6. **Fair Trade Cooperatives**:

– **Overview**: Fair trade cooperatives help producers (often in the Global South) access markets and receive fair prices for their goods, ensuring better living conditions and working conditions for producers. Many of these cooperatives are part of international networks that promote fair trade certification and standards.

   – **Examples**:

     – **Fairtrade International**: A global organization that sets the standards for Fairtrade certification and works with cooperatives in developing countries to help them gain better access to international markets.

     – **World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)**: A global network of fair trade organizations, including cooperatives, that promotes ethical trade practices and supports the empowerment of marginalized producers worldwide.

   – **Key Activities**:

– Certification and marketing of fair trade products from cooperatives.

– Capacity building, training, and advocacy for fair trade practices.

– Support for creating fairer supply chains and ensuring sustainable production practices.

### Benefits of International Cooperation in Cooperatives:

1. **Solidarity and Knowledge Sharing**: International cooperatives provide platforms for sharing best practices, knowledge, and experiences, helping cooperatives in different regions improve their operations and overcome common challenges.
2. **Global Advocacy**: By working together, cooperatives can advocate for policies that support their interests at global forums such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and regional political bodies.
3. **Market Access**: International networks help cooperatives access new markets for their products and services, often through collective marketing and the use of global certification schemes such as Fairtrade or organic certification.
4. **Economic Resilience**: Cooperatives that collaborate internationally are often more resilient to global economic challenges, as they can support one another through joint purchasing, shared resources, and mutual aid.
5. **Cultural and Social Impact**: International cooperatives promote cultural exchange and social responsibility, focusing on sustainability, social inclusion, and empowerment of marginalized communities.

### Conclusion:

International cooperatives play a crucial role in fostering global solidarity, sharing resources, and advocating for a more sustainable and equitable world. Whether in agriculture, finance, retail, or fair trade, international cooperatives leverage collective power to address global challenges and promote economic justice. Through organizations like the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and various sectoral federations, cooperatives are able to expand their reach, support one another, and create lasting global impact.