All news: social and solidarity economy

ILO SSE Academy in Seoul concluded successfully

The 8th edition of the ILO SSE Academy took place in Seoul, the Republic of Korea from 26 to 30 June. Over 150 participants from more than 30 countries exchanged their experiences, best practices and challenges under the theme “Innovative ecosystems...

COOP Champions

Özge Berber-Agtaş, ILO Office for Turkey in Ankara

COOP Champions features ILO colleagues from around the world working on cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises. It highlights their contributions, and shares highlights of their experiences, current work, and future...

ILO celebrates the International Day of Cooperatives by focusing on workers in the informal economy

The United Nations’ International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) is held annually on the first Saturday of July. For this occasion, the ILO organised an event, recognizing the theme of the 2017 IDC, “cooperatives leave no one behind”, with a focus on the...

International Day of Cooperatives

Cooperatives help to build inclusive economies and societies

"Let us draw on the strengths of cooperatives as we pool efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and make sure that no one is left behind," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

The new landmark recommendation recognises cooperatives’ role toward building peace and resilience

The 106th ILC adopted the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) which includes reference to the role of cooperatives and other social economy initiatives.

Promoting social inclusion through social and solidarity economy

On June 1st, the ILO participated and presented in the "Conference on the Role of the Social and Solidarity Economy in Reducing Social Exclusion" in Budapest on the institution's ongoing work on social and solidarity economy.

Domestic workers in Trinidad and Tobago develop a business plan for their cooperative

On May 12 to 13, the ILO organised a workshop with domestic workers and their union in Trinidad and Tobago to develop a business plan for their cooperative. The workshop used the C-BED methodology, a low cost, action-based and participatory group...

Highlights of an Interview with Jean Louis Bancel at the 106th ILC

Jean Louis Bancel, the recently elected Cooperatives Europe President, participated in the 106th International Labour Conference representing the International Cooperative Alliance. ILO COOP talked with Jean Louis who is also the President of...

Reflecting on the relevance of cooperatives to the topics of discussion at the 106th ILC

On the second day of the 106th International Labour Conference, the COOP Unit was invited to make a presentation to the African government group on the relevance of cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises with regard to the...

ILO joined ICA Africa ministerial meeting to discuss partnerships in advancing SDGs

The ILO participated in the ICA Africa Cooperative Ministerial Conference Midterm Review which took place on May 23-26 in Casablanca, Morocco. The ILO presentations focused on the role of cooperatives in rural development and the work of the ILO...

COOP Champions

Rasha El-Shurafa, ILO Representative Office in Jerusalem

COOP Champions features ILO colleagues from around the world working on cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises. It highlights their contributions, and shares highlights of their experiences, current work, and future...

Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators

Rural cooperative works to preserve the cultural heritage of Malta

"Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators" is a series of interviews with cooperative leaders from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work with cooperatives. For this issue ILO interviewed Ms Veronica...

COOP Champions

Huyen Nguyen Thi, ILO Country Office for Viet Nam in Hanoi

COOP Champions features ILO colleagues from around the world working on cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises. It highlights their contributions, and shares highlights of their experiences, current work, and future...

Cooperatives provide an alternative model for the future of work

On 5 April, the eve of the symposium “Future of Work We Want: A Global Dialogue”, the ILO organized an event on the role of cooperation in a changing world of work.

Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators

Italian social cooperatives working together for the benefit of the communities

"Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators" is a series of interviews with cooperative leaders from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work with cooperatives. In this issue ILO interviewed Ms Vittoria...

COOP Champions

Karim Toumi, ILO Country Office for Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania

COOP Champions features ILO colleagues from around the world working on cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy enterprises. It highlights their contributions, and shares highlights of their experiences, current work, and future...

Palestinian Prime Minister launches Cooperative Sector Strategy

Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah referred to the need for improved regulation and administration of the cooperative sector as well as support for the implementation of the recently adopted strategy, which was developed with the support of the ILO.

Fair Trade Certification for Red Lady Papaya: Vavuniya North Fruit Growers Cooperative achieves another landmark.

Vavuniya North Fruit Growers Cooperative Union has achieved a major milestone by becoming the First Cooperative in Sri Lanka and probably the first organization in South Asia to be Fair Trade Certified for Red Lady papaya. The certification process...

Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators

A social enterprise creating job opportunities for migrants and disadvantaged persons in Berlin

"Spotlight Interviews with Cooperators" is a series of interviews with leaders of cooperatives and social and solidarity economy enterprises (SSEEs) from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work...

Our impact, their story

A bazaar of hope and courage: Local women take charge

ILO’s Work in Freedom programme has helped women in remote rural areas access local livelihood opportunities, and take charge of their economic well-being without having to migrate for work.