Resources on cooperatives

  1. Strengthening women's economic empowerment and access to Decent Work in Sri Lanka's Northern province

    01 March 2022

    At the core of women's economic empowerment is access and agency; while access to skills, resources, services, and market opportunities is one aspect of advancement, the other, agency is about the power of decision-making. This document provides a snapshot of different approaches implemented by LEED+ towards achieving the above.

  2. Standing her ground

    20 October 2021

    Rural women and girls play a crucial yet often overlooked role in food security, nutrition, rural development, and building climate resilience. Arulrahini began farming four decades ago. From cultivating in the backyard of her home to breaking norms as an independent woman farmer, she shares her journey.

  3. Putting down roots

    31 May 2021

    Groundnut cultivation supported by ILO’s SURAR Project is not only helping resettled communities to revive their livelihoods but also reintegrate with existing communities in the Mullaitivu District

  4. Growing a field of dreams

    10 February 2021

    For the many first-time women farmers in the village of Chettikulam, black gram offers new opportunities. Through its work in the agriculture sector, ILO Sri Lanka’s LEED+ project is working with Coops, government officials, and private sector to create sustainable livelihoods, and empowered communities.

  5. ILO supports the creation of market links through cooperatives in agriculture in Northern Sri Lanka

    10 December 2020

    Since its establishment in 2017, the ILO supported the Udayarkaddu Cooperative to establish a primary processing facility for fruits and vegetables, set up market linkages through private sector partnerships; and increase the production capacity of its member farmers through a series of capacity building initiatives. During COVID-19 the cooperative tailored ways to serve its members even during the lockdown.

  6. Cooperative Principle 7: Concern for community

    08 December 2020

    The seventh in the series of slideshows highlights the seventh cooperative principle: concern for community. Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

  7. Cooperative Principle 3: Participation

    08 December 2020

    The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. The fifth in the series of slideshows for ILO COOP 100 focuses on the third cooperative principle on Member Economic Participation. Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

  8. © Diomari Madulara 2022
    Coconuts, commitment and changing circumstances

    07 December 2020

    Coco chips are widely used by farmers and gardeners. The ILO’s LEED+ project works with the private sector and local communities in Sri Lanka to develop coco chips as a mutually beneficial business.

  9. ILO COOP 100 Interview with Mr. Upali Herath, a cooperative practitioner from Sri Lanka

    04 August 2020

    Established in March 1920, the ILO’s Cooperatives Unit marks its Centenary in 2020. On this occasion, the ILO COOP 100 Interview series features past and present ILO colleagues and key partners who were closely engaged in the ILO's work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE). The interviews reflect on their experience and contributions in the past and shares their thoughts on the future of cooperatives and the SSE in a changing world of work.

  10. Interview with Robby Tulus, ex-ICA AP Regional Director, cooperative consultant

    25 May 2020

    Established in March 1920, the ILO’s Cooperatives Unit marks its Centenary in 2020. On this occasion, the ILO COOP 100 Interview series features past and present ILO colleagues and key partners who were closely engaged in the ILO's work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE). The interviews reflect on their experience and contributions in the past and shares their thoughts on the future of cooperatives and the SSE in a changing world of work.