International Cooperative Alliance

29/10/2026

🌍 Discover cooperative development projects worldwide through MiCDP!

The Mapping International Cooperative Development Programmes - MiCDP platform (https://micdp.coops4dev.coop/) showcases how cooperatives and cooperative development organisations are contributing to sustainable development across the globe. By mapping projects, partnerships and impact, helps make visible the cooperative difference in international development.

Today, we highlight Enhancing the Green Gold of Palestinian Economy, a cooperative development initiative in led by Oxfam and implemented by the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine - ESDC (https://esdc-pal.org/) in collaboration with Al Reef Fair Trade الريف للتجارة العادلة 🇵🇸, Ekitopi 🇫🇷 and Truely Taste 🇩🇰, and funded through the Danida Green Business Partnerships programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

🌿 The project aims to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and market access of Palestinian olive oil producers and cooperatives by improving production efficiency, environmental sustainability and value chain performance.

🫒 The initiative supports olive oil cooperatives and mills in improving production and processing practices, enhancing product quality and expanding opportunities for Palestinian organic extra virgin olive oil in Denmark, France and other European markets.

🤝 By promoting sustainable value chains and fair prices for producers, the project contributes to strengthening rural livelihoods and increasing the economic resilience of Palestinian olive oil producers and their communities. It directly benefits 1,045 individuals and 26 organisations.

🎯 Contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action, the project demonstrates how sustainable agricultural value chains can support economic development, responsible production and climate action.

ℹ️ Learn more about the project through MiCDP: https://micdp.coops4dev.coop/project/enhancing-green-gold-palestinian-economy-palestine

MiCDP is part of the ICA–EU Partnership (2024–2028), also known as 🌍, a five-year international cooperative development programme co-funded by the European Union, aiming to strengthen the ICA network and position cooperatives as key actors in international development within the EU development agenda.

MiCDP is also developed in collaboration with the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC).

27/10/2026

From 3–6 November, leaders from the mutual and cooperative insurance sector will gather in Toronto for the ICMIF Biennial Conference 2026.

Hosted by Co-operators, this year’s conference will bring together more than 400 participants from 110 ICMIF member organisations across 40 countries, with a strong representation of senior executives and decision-makers.

Under the theme Trusted to deliver, discussions will focus on how mutual and cooperative insurers are responding to uncertainty, transforming their businesses, strengthening resilience and innovation, and ensuring the continued relevance of the mutual model.

The programme also includes peer-to-peer exchanges, roundtables, networking and the fifth edition of ICMIF’s Young Leaders Programme.

🗓️ 3–6 November 2026
📍 Toronto, Canada

For more information, check the link in the comments.

24/10/2026

🇺🇳 Happy United Nations Day to the global cooperative movement!

Today, we celebrate the values of international cooperation, solidarity and collective action that bring us closer to a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable world.

The ICA works to strengthen the recognition of cooperatives as key contributors to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But how does this contribution translate into action on the ground?

📚 Discover Building a Better World Together, a series of policy briefs showcasing how cooperatives are advancing all 17 SDGs through real-life success stories, evidence and practical examples from communities around the world.

Produced by the ICA and COPAC, with contributions from International Cooperative Alliance-Africa, Coop Americas, International Cooperative Alliance - Asia and Pacific, and Cooperatives Europe, the series demonstrates how cooperative action drives inclusive economic development, social progress, community resilience and environmental sustainability.

🔗 Explore the consolidated report: https://ica.coop/en/media/library/building-better-world-together-cooperative-contributions-sdgs-consolidated-report

With the support of United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) | International Labour Organization | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) | United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) | International Trade Centre | European Commission

This publication is produced under the ICA-EU Partnership (2024–2028), also known as 🌍, a five-year international cooperative development programme that aims to strengthen the ICA network and position cooperatives as key development actors within the European Union Development Agenda.

🌍

21/10/2026

Three days of intensive work in Rome have led to the launch of the first international Community of Practice on Cooperative AI at the Cooperative AI Bootcamp: Shaping the Future Together.

Last week, participants created a common understanding, common ground and move towards common benefits for : this is just the beginning!

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Bootcamp and helped shape this next phase of Cooperative AI:

- Justin Hammons, The Principle 6 Cooperative
- David Beauchemin, Ph.D., Baseline
- Ronald Nyamukuwa, TechUnity Service Cooperative Zimbabwe
- Nicolás Dimarco, FAROX / Patio
- Dorleta Urrutia Oñate, ASETT
- Naska Yankova, Camplight / PATIO
- Akkanut Wantanasombut, Tamsang-Tamsong
- Luca Guandalini, Euricse
- Simon Chapman, Agile Collective
- Cate Broussard, We Effect
- Anna Karlberg, WeEffect
- Dimo Dimitriev, Central Cooperative Union Bulgaria
- Bogdan Marinski, Central Cooperative Union Bulgaria
- Felix Weth, CosyAI
- Allan N., Shiftnex.ai
- Nilton Araruna, OCB System
- Mary Rose G., NATCCO
- Jungsik Jung, NACF
- Ayushman Madhwal, ICA Asia and Pacific
- María José Elizondo Solís, Cooperatives of the Americas
- Marc Noel, ICA
- Shaun Fensom, dot.coop
- Federico Zacchia, Fondazione PICO
- Francesca Ottolenghi, Legacoop Nazionale
- Claudia Colabella, Legacoop Nazionale
- Piero Ingrosso, Fondazione PICO
- Francesca Martinelli, PhD, Ph.D., Fondazione PICO
- Damiano Avellino, Fondazione PICO
- Elisabetta Miraglio, Ph.D., AlmaVicoo

The Bootcamp is organised by the ICA, LegacoopNazionale and Fondazione PICO.

Photo credit: Fondazione PICO

20/10/2026

As we continue celebrating the UNESCO's International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, we are delighted to share these photos of the certificate presentation to the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative in , recognised on the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage List 🌍

🙏 Our thanks to Akram Altaher, General Director of the Economic & Social Development Centre of (ESDC), for presenting the certificate on behalf of the ICA.

The Cooperative Cultural Heritage List celebrates the richness and diversity of our cooperative heritage, recognising the places, traditions and communities that keep it alive, foster peace and pass it on to future generations.

Discover more about the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage programme at https://www.culturalheritage.coop/

This initiative is part of the ICA-EU Partnership (2024–2028), 🌍, which works to strengthen the ICA network and position cooperatives as key development actors within the European Union Development Agenda. European Commission

19/10/2026

A podcast to start the week 🎧

In the latest ICA Legal Interview Series, p. santosh kumar speaks with Aicha E.rrifaai, Director General of Morocco’s Office du Développement de la Coopération (ODCO), about how the country’s cooperative movement and legal framework have evolved.

The conversation covers Morocco’s cooperative law, governance and access to finance, while also looking at opportunities around youth, women, digitalisation, climate resilience and stronger cooperation across Africa.

It also touches on Morocco’s engagement with ICA and the Cooperative Cultural Heritage Programme.

🎙️ Listen to this full episode of Further Together via the link in the comments.

Produced under the ICA-EU Partnership 🌍.

17/10/2026

Today we celebrate the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising the richness of our living heritage and the importance of safeguarding the traditions, knowledge and practices passed down through generations 🌍

Cooperatives play a vital role in keeping this heritage alive. By bringing people together, sustaining cultural practices, supporting community livelihoods and connecting generations, we help ensure that living heritage continues to thrive and evolve.

To mark this special day, the ICA and its working group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage will host the global webinar “Cooperatives in the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development” on 30 October.

ℹ️ More info: https://ica.coop/en/events/webinar-cooperatives-international-decade-culture-sustainable-development
👉 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_APC-NNE7ScuR_dFAIkLnGw #/registration

Join us to explore how cooperatives can contribute to safeguarding living heritage! Interpretation will be available in 🇬🇧 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇵🇹

The webinar has been selected by UNESCO as an event “in support of the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

Discover more about the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage programme: https://www.culturalheritage.coop/

This initiative is part of the ICA-EU Partnership (2024–2028), 🌍, which works to strengthen the ICA network and position cooperatives as key development actors within the European Union Development Agenda. European Commission

16/10/2026

📸 The photo albums are now on Flickr.

From sessions and side events to speakers, delegates and the moments in between, you can now look back through our photos from the week in Panama.

And if you have photos you would like to add to the collection, send them to media@icacoop.

Check us out on Flickr. Search for International Cooperative Alliance. Or check the comments.

16/10/2026

What role can cooperative law play in helping cooperatives adapt without losing what makes them cooperative?

That question ran through the IX Continental Congress on Cooperative Law and II International Symposium on Cooperative Law, held alongside .

The discussions moved across digitalisation, taxation, regional integration, member participation, legal innovation, intergenerational continuity and peace, with contributions from cooperative lawyers and scholars across different regions and legal traditions.

The article also looks at the renewed ICA Legal Framework Analysis, supported through the ICA–EU partnership, and the launch of Amicus, a new shared space for cooperative law, policy, jurisprudence and comparative knowledge.

Read the full reflection on how cooperative law is evolving, and the questions Panama leaves open for the movement.

Full story here: https://ica.coop/en/newsroom/news/building-bridges-through-cooperative-law-reflections-panama

As part of the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in Panama in September, legal experts and other interested parties gathered for the IX Continental Congress on Cooperative Law and II International Symposium on Cooperative Law.