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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. 

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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.

Cooperative Development Organizations

ACDI/VOCA

ACDI/VOCA is an economic development organization that fosters broad-based economic growth, raises living standards, and creates vibrant communities. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA has worked in 146 countries since 1963. Its expertise is in catalyzing investment, climate smart agriculture, empowerment & resilience, institutional strengthening, and market systems.

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Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative

The Federation of Peoples’ Sustainable Development Cooperative (FPSDC) is a secondary cooperative with a total membership of around 170 cooperatives. Currently, its members come from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Furthermore, FPSDC  is motivated by its principles anchored to the 4Ps of Sustainable Development – People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace.


 

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Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union

Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU) was established in March 1951 as the national federation of consumer co-ops in Japan. Today, about 314 consumer co-ops and consumer co-op unions join JCCU and the total of business turnover of the member co-ops is about 3.8 trillion JPY, with total of 30 million members. JCCU is the largest consumers' organization in Japan.

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