All news: cooperatives

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO and Government of Senegal join forces to advance cooperative development

In partnership with the ILO, Senegal’s Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy (MMESS) launched a workshop to build ministry staff capacity in cooperative development, leveraging ILO tools that can support the development of...

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO Rural Development Academy 2025 highlights social and solidarity economy approaches

The 2025 ILO Academy on Rural Development held a session on the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The participants explored how the SSE can advance decent work and inclusive rural development through global perspectives and country experiences...

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO highlights cooperatives’ role in advancing cultural rights and decent work at global cultural policy conference event

At a side event during the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, the ILO underlined the role of cooperatives in advancing cultural rights, decent work, social justice and inclusive development, calling for their...

International Year of Cooperatives

Care provision through cooperatives spotlighted at South4Care launch

ILO highlighted cooperative care solutions grounded in ILO standards, providing examples from multiple countries and spotlighting a trade union–backed childcare cooperative initiative in Nablus in the State of Palestine.

Micro, small and medium enterprises set to power Zambia’s clean energy future

Over 40 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Zambia’s Eastern Province are set to benefit from a hands-on training in renewable energy technologies this October.

International Year of Cooperatives

International experts forge ahead on global SSE and cooperative statistical frameworks

While the SSE statistics working group examined the statistical definition of social enterprise, the group on measuring economic contribution of cooperatives addressed accounting standards to enhance global comparability.

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Nataša Žugić, Director of the housing cooperative "Pametnija Zgrada" (Smarter Building) in Belgrade, Serbia

“Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators” is a series of interviews with co-operators from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE)....

Advancing cooperative statistics: ILO unveils new information guide and insights from country pilots

The updated guidance and lessons from five-country pilot studies strengthen the knowledge base and support the development of future international standards on cooperative and SSE statistics

The empowering journey of a young Timorese cooperative leader and entrepreneur

Through various skills training programmes, a young Timorese cooperative leader has transformed his life and empowered his community toward greater economic resilience and inclusion.

International Year of Cooperatives

2025 Gyeonggi-do Social Economy Expo in the Republic of Korea highlights global momentum for the social and solidarity economy

The ILO underscored the social and solidarity economy as a pathway to social justice and decent work, guided by human dignity and solidarity.

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO contributes to Euro-American dialogue on care and the cooperative difference

Short description: The ILO joined the webinar on “Care as Market Opportunity: The Cooperative Difference,” highlighting the potential of cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE) to address the global care gap, promote decent...

United Nations Day for South–South Cooperation 2025

South-South cooperation drives progress on decent work and social justice. On the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, the ILO highlights how countries of the Global South are joining forces to deliver innovation, solidarity, and shared...

Regional Forum

The ILO strengthens its commitment to the social and solidarity economy in Ibero-America

The ILO took part in a regional event in Bolivia that brought together representatives from 18 countries to promote public policies and mechanisms that strengthen the social and solidarity economy.

Care economy

Model by-laws unveiled as cooperative department commits to promote nationwide care cooperatives

With the aim of expanding quality, affordable care services and creating decent jobs—especially for women, this initiative will promote formalization of care work in Sri Lanka and empower cooperatives with clear governance frameworks.

International Year of Cooperatives

Unpacking the social and solidarity economy in Australia and beyond: ILO shares international perspectives

The webinar “Unpacking the Social Economy” featured ILO’s international perspective on what the social and solidarity economy (SSE) encompasses, why it matters, how it is relevant in Australia and across Asia and the Pacific region, and practical...

International Year of Cooperatives

ILO contributes to the 2025 International Summer School on Cooperative Law

The 2025 Global Cooperative Law Summer School in Pula, Croatia reaffirms that ILO Recommendation No. 193 on the promotion of cooperatives is a cornerstone of cooperative development, providing guidance for laws that strengthen cooperatives and...

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Rose Karimi, Regional Director of the International Cooperative Alliance – Africa

“Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators” is a series of interviews with co-operators from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE)....

International Year of Cooperatives

Strengthening institutional capacities on cooperative development in the State of Palestine

ILO supports new trainers from the Cooperative Work Agency and Al-Quds University.

Press release

ILO launches OSH guide in agriculture in Jordan

New guide provides practical tools to improve safety, reduce risks, and promote decent work for Jordan’s agricultural workforce.

Green jobs

Turning adversity into opportunity thanks to biochar

In northern Côte d'Ivoire, Diallo Koundja and his family, asylum seekers from Burkina Faso, are regaining hope and dignity thanks to an ILO project on biochar.