All news: cooperatives

UNTFSSE welcomes African Union and Social Enterprise World Forum

The 51st regular meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) marked significant milestones in expanding global reach and fostering collaboration. With the inclusion of the African Union as member...

Technical Working Groups on Cooperative and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Statistics launched

The ILO launched two Technical Working Groups on statistics of cooperatives and the broader Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). This is part of a wider collaborative initiative that aims to improve the visibility and impact of these entities,...

EU conference highlights cooperative contributions to industrial transformation

On March 18, 2025, the ILO participated in the European Commission conference on “Fostering Europe’s Prosperity and Industrial Transformation: Cooperatives as Drivers of Change”.

World Consumer Rights Day event highlights the role of social and solidarity economy entities

ILO delivered opening remarks at a session titled “Community Action at the Heart of Sustainable Lifestyles” on the last day of the Sustainable Lifestyles Summit 2025 organized by Consumers International.

69th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women

Commission on the Status of Women holds session on cooperatives transforming care systems

Cooperatives were highlighted as a transformative pathway to empowering communities and reshaping care systems during a side event at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) on March 11, 2025. The ILO and other members of the Committee on...

Reinforcing occupational safety and health: The ILO deploys an innovative tool for agricultural cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire

A new occupational safety and health tool is being deployed in Côte d’Ivoire to help agricultural cooperatives create safer workplaces, reduce occupational risks, and prevent child labour by addressing the root causes linked to poor working...

ILO and Ministry of Economy exchange on the Social and Solidarity Economy in Guatemala

The International Labour Organization (ILO) presented a study on the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Guatemala, highlighting key actors and the impact of current policies on the SSE in the country, and establishing a baseline for future...

Our impact, their story

How cooperatives help advance decent work in artisanal gold mining in Mali

Chaotic mining operations in Sikasso, Mali posed risks, including theft and unsafe working conditions. With ACCEL Africa's support, miners now work more securely and efficiently. Boukary Sanogo, an artisanal gold miner and secretary of a newly...

Video

Cooperative members and workers benefit from occupational safety and health initiatives in Nepal

The ILO worked in partnership with the Central Tea Cooperatives Federation (CTCF) of Nepal to assist cooperatives in enhancing occupational safety and health practices in tea gardens and factories under the Safety + Health for All Plantation...

Nakhwa Association for women and family: Advancing women’s economic empowerment in Southern Tunisia

Reviving tradition and empowering women, Nakhwa transforms local crafts into sustainable opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship and economic resilience in southern Tunisia.

ILO strengthens development of agricultural organizations and cooperatives in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq

From February 26 to 28, 2025 the ILO worked on strengthening agriculture and cooperative development in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq by enhancing governance, business planning, and economic sustainability.

Asia-Pacific region and Japan kick off UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025

The ILO officials joined and addressed the launch that took place in Tokyo, Japan on February 19, 2025, highlighting the role of cooperatives in tackling existing and emerging global challenges and fostering inclusive economies.

Mutualist Conference spotlights role of cooperatives and mutuals in universal social protection

At the International Mutualist Conference, ILO officials highlighted the importance of recognizing cooperatives and mutuals as key Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) actors, which can have the potential to contribute to achieving universal health...

EU unveils platform to boost proximity and social economy’s role in green and digital transition

ILO delivered a keynote at the inauguration of the new EU platform dedicated to enhancing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building within the proximity and social economy ecosystem.

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Guido Schwarzendahl, CEO of Bauverein Halle & Leuna eG, and President of Cooperative Housing International

“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)....

Cooperatives

Latin America and the Caribbean launch the Regional Agenda of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025

The ILO participated in the regional event of the Network of Agencies for the Promotion, Supervision, Development, Regulation, and Financing of Cooperatives, highlighting the role of cooperatives in promoting decent work, economic inclusion, and...

Strengthening cooperatives

How ILO PROSPECTS is strengthening livestock farming in Ethiopia’s Somali Region

The ILO's PROSPECTS Partnership enhances livestock farming in Ethiopia’s Somali region through innovative solutions, improving feed production, resilience, and economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities.

Cooperatives: Drivers of financial and social change in Mali

Cooperatives play a key role in the economic and social organization of rural workers in Mali, particularly in the cotton value chain and artisanal gold mining. They already provide access to collective credit, entrepreneurship training...

ILO and Al-Quds University pledge to empower Palestinian youth through innovative cooperative models

The ILO and Al-Quds University signed an agreement to empower young Palestinian women and men with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to build and sustain cooperatives, with funding from Italy.

ILO and Spain conclude project to enhance market access for Palestinian agricultural cooperatives

The project’s closing ceremony showcased how strengthening agricultural cooperatives in the West Bank – by improving their marketing infrastructure, skills and digital capabilities – increases their capacity to create sustainable jobs and drive...