South Africa

South Africa is part of the regional project Southern Africa (SUCOSA II). The aim is to strengthen the economic participation of all through cooperatives. The focus is on needs-based coordinated support from government agencies, cooperative education and an organization of the sector supported by primary cooperatives.

The Project

Cooperatives are an important tool in South Africa to foster economic participation of marginalized parts of society. Thus, they play an important role in reducing the enormous economic and social inequalities.  As part of our regional project in Southern Africa financed by BMZ we strengthen South Africa’s cooperative structures so they can contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic development.

We support and advise governmental institutions, as well as traditional, indigenous structures at national level and provincial level especial in the pilot provinces, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape to create an enabling environment for economically active and sustainable cooperatives.

The aim is to provide effective and coordinated government support for the sector.

We promote the establishment of cooperative structures as support structures and the future, legitimate voice of the sector.

Together with our partners we strengthen the economic, social and ecological sustainability of reference cooperatives through targeted training and capacity building measures. Additionally, we leverage the opportunities digitalization offers for cooperatives.