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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

Coopermondo - Associazione per la Cooperazione Internazionale allo Sviluppo

Coopermondo is the NGO of Confcooperative. It promotes the creation and empowerment of cooperative enterprises in developing countries - mainly through training and technical assistance activities - with the aim of reducing inequalities and promoting economic democracy, inclusive and sustainable development and decent work for all.

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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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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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