International Cooperatives Day: Celebrating Global Cooperation


The International Cooperatives Day is celebrated around the world on the first Saturday of July each year. This special day recognizes and promotes the vital role that cooperatives play in enhancing socio-economic development, fostering community engagement, and supporting sustainable growth. Cooperatives are unique in their commitment to shared values and principles, including democratic member control, economic participation, autonomy, and concern for community. These values empower individuals and communities, providing a platform for inclusive and sustainable development.

Cooperatives span various sectors, from agriculture and finance to healthcare and housing, making a significant impact globally. The celebration of International Cooperatives Day offers an opportunity to highlight the diverse and innovative ways cooperatives contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To illustrate the global impact of cooperatives, we would like to share examples of events around the International Cooperatives Day as well as examples of our project work from various regions around the world, which are funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ):

DGRV Colombia Participates in Festival of Cooperatives


To celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives, the 8th Festival of Cooperatives was held in Medellín under the motto “Cooperatives build a better future for all people”. Organized by the Colombian cooperative association CONFECOOP, it offered the opportunity for many producers’ organizations, which are part of the local DGRV project Apoyamos to showcase their products and connect with others. Local DGRV also participated in the activities.

The project works with small agricultural producers, fostering them to form networks. Those groups receive advice and trainings by the DGRV regarding organizational development and a range of further topics relevant to them. This enables them to support each other to form even stronger networks which in consequence benefit themselves and their families. Several producer organisations involved in the project, such as Asomasorcan de San Roque, Agecosur de Jericó and La reserva de Buriticá, were represented with stands at the Festival of Cooperatives.

Furthermore, cooperatives that are part are part of the DGRV’s global youth project, being implemented in Colombia under the title Apoyamos Juventud (Let’s Support Young People). Its aim is to integrate and include especially young people in the cooperative sector. Some of those cooperatives are still in the process of being established, such as the Tierra de Abejas cooperatives and the Red Tejiendo Sueños de Salgar network. The event thus enabled the integration of different generations and the exchange and presentation of cooperative experiences. It also promoted cooperative history and values, fair trade and responsible consumption and combined this with fun and entertainment.

Promoting Cooperative Structures in Cameroon


With a view to promoting cooperative structures and celebrating International Cooperatives Day 2024 on the theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for all”, DGRV in Cameroon organized an exchange and information workshop on 05 July 2024. This workshop, which brought together cooperatives from different fields, state bodies in charge of cooperatives, national and international associations of producers, educators and researchers working in the cooperative sector, provided an opportunity to highlight the contribution of cooperatives to building a better future for all and to define together sustainable actions aimed at promoting cooperatives in Cameroon.

During the workshop, it was presented the contribution of DGRV for the promotion of cooperative structures in Cameroon and to the achievement of the SDGs, the contribution of financial cooperatives for financial inclusion and agricultural finance in Cameroon, the contribution of women for improving the governance of cooperatives, and finally, the prospects for the development of cooperatives in Cameroon in an agricultural system undergoing transformation.

Exchange about Cooperativism in Hybrid Event with Francophone Participants from Tunisia, Benin, Cameroon and Madagascar


On July 3, 2024, in the run-up of the celebration of the World Day of Cooperatives, the DGRV project office in Tunisia organized a virtual workshop in partnership with DGRV Cameroon and Benin as well as GIZ Madagascar, whilst the participants from Tunisia even had the opportunity to meet in person in Tunis. Representatives of cooperatives from Cameroon, Benin, Tunisia, and Madagascar exchanged insights on how they live the principle of autonomy and independence. Despite their diverse contexts, participants discovered they face similar challenges in implementing this principle. The virtual workshop provided a platform for shared experiences and collaborative learning. This initiative exemplifies the spirit of the International Day of Cooperatives by fostering collaboration and mutual learning among cooperatives across the globe.

Driving Agricultural Innovation and Cooperative Resilience in the Philippines


In celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives, DGRV is proud to highlight its comprehensive initiatives in the agricultural sector in the Philippines, which aim to strengthen cooperative development and resilience across the country.

A significant project involves the collaboration with Cebu Technological University – Barili Campus, where 12 hectares of land have been offered to establish a demo farm. This farm is set to become a model for sustainable agricultural practices, fostering innovation and education within the local farming community. DGRV also facilitates learning visits for cooperatives, which are focused on exchanging best practices in governance and agri-enterprise development. During these visits, participants can explore facilities like the “Cocoville Hub” and SMART FOOD Processing Plant, gaining valuable insights into advanced agricultural processes.

A major milestone was the grand opening of the KOOP Farm Factory in May 2024, in Basak, Lapu-Lapu Mactan Cebu. This innovative “Farmers Network Store” platform bridges the gap between farmers and urban consumers through retail and wholesale marketing. The CEO of the umbrella federation for agricultural cooperatives, AgriCOOPh, Cresente Paez highlighted the collaborative efforts of six primary cooperatives in launching this venture, which promises to enhance the connection between producers and consumers.

Further emphasizing the importance of cooperative resilience, DGRV organized a workshop on the Coop Resiliency Mechanism (CRM) in April 2024. CRM aims to pool resources into a Fund Pool to bolster cooperative resiliency. The workshop brought together dedicated stakeholders for animated discussions, including contributions from AgriCOOPh.

Cooperative Audit Training in Vietnam


In celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives, DGRV highlights its ongoing efforts to strengthen the cooperative movement in Vietnam through comprehensive training programs. One notable initiative is the cooperative audit training conducted in March 2023 for staff from various Provincial Cooperative Alliances at Tan Lap Cooperative in Hanoi.

This training session, designed to blend theoretical knowledge with practical experience, aimed to provide participants with a deep understanding of the cooperative audit process. By engaging in real-world audit procedures, the Provincial Cooperative Alliances’ staff gained valuable insights and enhanced their expertise in cooperative auditing. This initiative not only improves the transparency and accountability of cooperatives but also empowers local cooperative leaders with the skills necessary to ensure the sustainability and success of their organizations.

Snapshots of Impact: DGRV’s Cooperative Work Worldwide


All the aforementioned events and initiatives exemplify DGRV’s dedication to promoting cooperative principles and fostering sustainable development through capacity-building and knowledge-sharing. These key themes are celebrated on the International Day of Cooperatives. By supporting stronger cooperative practices, DGRV contributes to the global cooperative movement, enhancing autonomy, independence, and resilience within cooperatives. Our support of local cooperatives through education and demand-oriented training empowers communities and bolsters their resilience, embodying the spirit of the International Day of Cooperatives.

Finally, we would like to share some more impressions of our project work in Paraguay, Mexico, Kenya, Cameroon, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Tunisia.

Project Stories