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COOPER IDEA - AZIONI PER MIGLIORARE E RAFFORZARE LA PRODUTTIVITÀ COOPERATIVA PER LO SVILUPPO INCLUSIVO E L’IMPRENDITORIALITÀ

Cooperative Development Organisation

Implementing Partners and Organisations

WeWorld, the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC) and Haliéus (the NGO of Legacoop).

Period of Implementation

November 2025 - November 2026

Geographic scope

Asia-Pacific: Palestine (State of)

Cities: Hebron, Betlemme, Salfit, Tubas and Jenin.

Budget

$ 637,000
€ 550 000

Donor(s)

Bilateral Aid: Italian Agency of Development Cooperation

Sector(s)

Agriculture & Fisheries, Rural Development

Type of Activity

Governance and Organizational Strengthening, Networking, Training & Capacity Building

Summary

The COOPER-IDEA project will focus on the micro level, with the aim of strengthening the capacities of 30 cooperatives while at the same time facilitating positive exchange, policy dialogue, and partnerships with intermediary bodies such as the selected cooperative sector unions, the GCU, and the CWA. In particular, the initiative will address existing and already identified challenges by strengthening coordination and improving communication flows and dialogue among existing cooperatives, agricultural and handicraft sector unions, the GCU, and the CWA.

The initiative will also enhance the business management capacities and skills of the target cooperatives, as well as the effectiveness and coordination between cooperative representatives and existing intermediary bodies, in order to ensure the implementation of appropriate procedures and practices. This initiative, aimed at aligning practices related to the establishment and management of cooperatives in terms of governance and administration, seeks not only to improve the overall sustainability of individual cooperatives, but also to enhance their economic potential within the Palestinian economy.

The intervention will contribute to improving the performance of cooperatives at the operational level and in the quality of their production, while also strengthening the marketing skills of cooperative members. In particular, the project will target cooperatives operating in the agricultural production, food processing, and handicraft sectors. Priority will be given to women- and youth-led cooperatives in order to support their growth and development.

The project will assess and facilitate complementarities among different cooperatives, encouraging the creation of consortia through which promotional activities in national and international markets can be fostered and supported. Finally, the project will explore and facilitate potential business linkages with the cooperative community in Italy.

Project Objectives

The project idea stems from the strong collaboration between WeWorld (formerly GVC), in close coordination with Haliéus and the local partner (ESDC, an ICA member), leveraging their solid operational and technical experience in supporting cooperatives in Palestine, while applying a rights-based approach and a perspective strongly focused on gender and inclusiveness.

The project aims to support the cooperative system by improving the productivity and efficiency of 30 target cooperatives across 5 Governorates, strengthening capacities and connections among the cooperatives themselves, the GCU, the CWA, and sectoral unions. In particular, the initiative will address existing and already identified challenges by strengthening coordination and improving communication flows and dialogue among existing cooperatives, agricultural and handicraft sector unions, the GCU, and the CWA.

The initiative will also enhance the business management capacities and skills of the target cooperatives, as well as the effectiveness and coordination between cooperative representatives and existing intermediary bodies, in order to ensure the implementation of appropriate procedures and practices.

This initiative, aimed at aligning practices related to the establishment and management of cooperatives in terms of governance and administration, seeks not only to improve the overall sustainability of individual cooperatives, but also to enhance their economic potential within the Palestinian economy.

Impact on SDGs

SDG8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG17 - Partnership for The Goals

Main Indicators

85% of trainees improve their knowledge and skills related to cooperative management;
100 individuals (women and men) trained/supervised on technical and management issues related to cooperatives;
102 business plans developed and supervised through coaching sessions;
10 cooperatives reporting improvements in terms of productivity and performance.

Direct beneficiaries

Organisations: 30

Individuals: 100

Local stakeholders

The Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC); The sectorial union of cooperative (agricolture); General Cooperative Union; Cooperative Work Agency; Ministry of Labour;

Key Tags

Employment, Entrepreneurship, Gender