The first Saturday of July each year marks the International Day of Cooperatives which promotes the global cooperative movement. Looking ahead, on July 3, 2025, we will be celebrating the day appreciating the contributions of cooperatives to the economy, social fairness, and environmental conservation.
What Is a Cooperative?
A cooperative is defined as a business entity that is owned by its members and governed democratically. Members actively make decisions and share in the profits. Unlike traditional corporations, cooperatives prioritize people over profit.
Types of Cooperatives
- Worker Cooperatives – Owned by employees
- Consumer Cooperatives – Owned by customers
- Producer Cooperatives – Owned by farmers or artisans
- Housing Cooperatives – Owned by residents
- Credit Unions – Cooperative banks owned by members
About International Day of Cooperatives
This day was created by the United Nations and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) with the aim to:
- Raise awareness of the impact of cooperatives globally
- Promote principles of democracy, equality, and solidarity as the foundation of cooperatives
- Advocate for the role of co-ops in the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A unique theme is set each year that aligns with the mission of cooperatives around the globe.
2025 Theme: Creating a Beter Tomorrow Together
The 2025 theme centers around collaboration, sustainability, and resiliency. Cooperatives lead in tackling climate change, inequality, and job creation on a global scale.
Key Focus Areas:
- Inclusive economic growth
- Green and fair solutions
- Youth empowerment
- Community engagement
| Area | Co-op Impact |
|---|---|
| Jobs | Over 280 million people employed globally |
| Global Reach | 1 billion members in over 100 countries |
| Sustainability | Promote eco-friendly production and consumption |
| Equality | Ensure fair pay, equal participation, and diversity |
| Resilience | Better performance in times of crisis (e.g., COVID-19) |
7 Core Principles of Cooperatives
All co-ops use the ICA principles which are universally recognized:
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training, and Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
These principles ensure that co-ops maintain a standard of ethics, inclusivity, and focus on collective development.
Ways to Acknowledge the International Day of Cooperatives
If you are a member of a cooperative or a supporter of community businesses, be sure to join in on the celebration on July 3:
1. Patronize Local Co-ops
- Purchase goods from cooperative grocery stores or farmers’ markets
- Use services provided by credit unions or housing cooperatives
2. Educate and Advocate
- Share information on coop on social media with the tags #CoopsDay and #CooperativesBuildBetter
- Participate in local seminars and webinars, or organize them
3. Motivate the Young People
- Share the achievements of young cooperative leaders
- Advocate for cooperative curriculum in primary, secondary, and higher learning institutions
4. Advocate for Regulation on Co-ops
- Campaign for the protection of cooperative rights
- Promote acknowledgment of cooperatives by the government
How Co-ops Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
| SDG Goal | How Co-ops Contribute |
|---|---|
| No Poverty | Provide fair jobs and community wealth |
| Gender Equality | Promote equal ownership and leadership |
| Clean Energy | Invest in renewable and shared resources |
| Reduced Inequality | Serve remote, rural, and disadvantaged groups |
| Decent Work | Create long-term, secure employment |
| Responsible Consumption | Emphasize local, eco-conscious choices |
Examples of Global Cooperative Success
| Sector | Example | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Amul (dairy cooperative) | India |
| Finance | Desjardins Group (credit union) | Canada |
| Retail | The Co-operative Group | United Kingdom |
| Renewable Energy | REScoop (community energy) | Europe-wide |
| Housing | Limited-Equity Housing Co-ops | USA |
Advertise Trough Social Media
Use these popular hashtags for further awareness or to post about any event relating to cooperatives.
- #CoopsDay
- #InternationalDayOfCooperatives
- #BuildBetterTogether
- #PeopleBeforeProfit
Share coop stories and infographics related to your location and tag your local community pages.
Conclusive Reflections
The International Day of Cooperatives is an event to commemorate along with advocates of business ethics and cooperatives across the globe who take this day to highlight the need for more people-oriented systems in economics. Each year on July 3 advocates of ethical businesses have a reason to justify their campaigning for people’s welfare.
Together all of us shall strive towards achieving a sustainable economic and social system which secure economic equality amongst all people on the globe.
