All news: cooperatives

International Year of Cooperatives 2025

ILO strengthens cooperatives to tackle child labour in Nigeria’s cocoa and gold sectors

The ILO’s ACCEL Africa project held a Training of Trainers in Akure, Nigeria, to strengthen cooperatives in cocoa and artisanal gold mining communities across Ondo, Osun, and Niger States. Using ILO tools (Think.COOP, Start.COOP, My.COOP), the...

Mozambique and ILO spotlight Social and Solidarity Economy in national policy dialogue

A national workshop in Maputo opened space for reflection on the role of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Mozambique, highlighting its potential to contribute to employment, inclusion, and local development through public dialogue and...

Tunisia advances inclusive development through the social and solidarity economy

ILO and partners convened a National Social and Solidarity Economy Forum in Tunisia showcasing youth empowerment, multi-sector innovation, and a national dialogue on scaling the social and solidarity economy (SSE) for inclusive and sustainable...

Cooperative development

Guyana strengthens its fisheries cooperatives with ILO-FAO training initiative

This initiative forms part of the broader FISH4ACP effort, an OACPS-led programme implemented by the FAO, and funded by the European Union and the German BMZ, to improve value chains across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

ILO reaffirms support for advancing the social and solidarity economy in Africa

The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in Africa at a high-level roundtable in Nairobi, highlighting its collaboration with the African Union and other partners in support of inclusive, rights-based...

ILO and partners advance statistical standards for cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy

Two Technical Working Groups (TWGs) led by the ILO on statistics on cooperatives and on the social and solidarity economy (SSE) begin shaping frameworks to improve visibility, comparability, and policy relevance of these statistics.

Care Economy

Unlocking the potential of care cooperatives in Sri Lanka

The Department of Cooperatives and ILO launch landmark initiative to advance the care economy in Sri Lanka through cooperative models. Key events and learning opportunities brought together stakeholders to explore how care cooperatives can drive...

UNTFSSE

United Nations Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy explores strategic alignment and sustainability amid global challenges

The 52nd meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) was held virtually on 13 May 2025, bringing together over 40 participants from more than 20 organizations to reflect on strategic...

Cherry producers in Lebanon prepare for EU export markets through ILO-supported training

Awareness sessions help farmers and agricultural SMEs understand compliance protocols, strengthen value chain collaboration, and build capacity for certification.

Press release

Jordan adopts key amendments to Cooperative Law with ILO support

Revised law enhances cooperative governance, promotes inclusion, and introduces new support mechanisms to boost the sector’s contribution to decent work and inclusive development.

Cooperatives in Bethlehem drive local livelihoods and decent work despite resource and access challenges

ILO and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation conduct joint visit to assess cooperative-led development in the West Bank’s Bethlehem district.

ILO hosts strategic roundtable to strengthen Lebanon’s stone fruit sector

Through BOUZOUR project the ILO brings together stakeholders to boost export readiness, enhance coordination, and promote decent work across agricultural value chains.

Social and solidarity economy

ILO strengthens partnerships with the cooperative movement in Latin America and the Caribbean to promote decent work

The ILO reaffirmed its commitment to advance the role of cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE) in promoting decent work, the care economy, and sustainable development.

Palestinian cooperative leaders conclude study tour to Italy to advance inclusive economic development

The initiative aimed to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem in Palestine by learning from Italy’s long-standing experience in cooperative development and support post-conflict recovery

Signing ceremony

ILO and partners launch certification programme to boost Lebanese agricultural exports to the EU

The new crop certification drive, led by a Sweden-funded initiative, will help Lebanese farmers and exporters meet EU standards, improve coordination and boost competitiveness in agricultural exports.

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Sang-Youn Lee, Professor of Sungkonghoe University

“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)....

World Forum for Local Economic Development 2025

ILO champions social and solidarity economy for local transformation

The ILO highlighted the transformative role of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in fostering sustainable development, resilience, quality care services, youth employment, and financial inclusion at the VI World Forum for Local Economic...

Global Government Summit

The ILO reaffirms the social and solidarity economy as a key driver of social innovation

The ILO participated in the Summit, reaffirming the role of the social and solidarity economy in advancing social innovation, consistent with its tripartite mandate and relevant international resolutions.

Cooperative development

Building a sustainable future for Guyana’s fisherfolk

This collaborative Project brings together the ILO and FAO through FISH4ACP to strengthen fishing cooperatives, enhance livelihoods, and promote better working conditions, with particular attention on the empowerment of women in the seafood value...

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Víctor Meseguer Sánchez, Deputy Director General of Abacus Cooperative

“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)....