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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

Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada)

CDF Canada is a global social impact partner that allies with local communities, build their capacity to achieve sustainable economic and social development through cooperative models. We work with local partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America to establish and grow community-owned cooperatives to help people achieve more prosperous, self-reliant lives.

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Food and Forest Development Finland (FFD)

FFD, the Finnish Agri-Agency for Food and Forest Development, is a non-profit organization supporting agricultural producer organizations, forest owners' organizations and cooperatives in developing countries. FFD was formed in 2012 by four Finnish farmers' and forest producers' organizations to coordinate Finnish farmer-to-farmer development cooperation efforts.

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NRECA International

NRECA International is a non-profit rural development services organization that promotes rural economic development by providing access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Since 1962, NRECA International has helped establish more than 250 power utilities and electric cooperatives in 48 countries. This is done by implementing electrification programs and projects, empowering more than 160 million people worldwide.

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