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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

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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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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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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