Mapping International Cooperative Development Programmes

The Role of Cooperatives

Cooperatives play a major role in creating an inclusive and sustainable economy around the world. As people-centered businesses, cooperatives enable a locally anchored development process, thanks to their specific model based on self-help, democratic ownership, and concern for the community.

To demonstrate the impact of Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs), the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC) and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) joined forces to demonstrate the extensive reach and scope CDOs have - invoking greater collaboration with development partners.

What are CDOs?

Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs) are cooperatives and cooperative support organizations, that support and/or implement development projects outside their home countries. CDOs believe that cooperatives are ideal engines for development, since they empower people to fulfill their human, social and economic rights and needs.

The data displayed on this portal provides access to information from around 30 CDOs. The goal is to strengthen the network, encourage world-wide exchanges and connect CDOs to new partners and stakeholders.

Development Projects

Bolstering the economic and social power of women and young people in rural areas (PROFEM)

Colombia

FEMPRESA

Bolivia

Improving access to financing through a credit-backed grant mechanism and stronger coordination between micro- and meso-finance actors and guarantee institutions (AAFIMES)

Senegal

Mobilization of renewables by women and young entrepreneurs to support sustainable economic empowerment in Senegal (Renouveau FJ)

Senegal

Strengthening the climatic resilience of mango growers in the Niayes region of Senegal (Jaww Ji Mango Niayes)

Senegal

Economic and social empowerment of women and young people in Senegal

Senegal

Cooperative Development Organizations

Frontier Co-op

Founded in 1976, Iowa based Frontier Co-op is a leader in branded organic and natural herbs, spices, and essential oils. As a co-operative owned by wholesale customers that buy and sell its products, Frontier sources hundreds of different botanicals and oils from over 175 suppliers in 50 countries. Many of these products are tropical commodities produced disproportionately by small-scale growers. Frontier sells under three brands: Frontier, Simply Organic, and Aura Cacia.

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HealthPartners

Founded in 1957 as a cooperative, HealthPartners is the largest consumer governed nonprofit health care organization in the United States - serving more than 1.5 million medical and dental health plan members nationwide.

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Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives (KFCC)

KFCC is to guide and supervise the management of Saemaul Geumgo (primary cooperative), and thus to promote common interests. KFCC regulates Saemaul Geumgo’s operational funds as its central bank as well as offering insurance for Saemaul Geumgo and its members.

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