2026 Theme: Cooperatives for a Peaceful World
The 2026 theme of the , ¡°Cooperatives for a peaceful world¡±, affirms the contribution of cooperative enterprises to social justice, inclusion and solidarity. It recognizes cooperatives as people-centered institutions that can help build trust, strengthen social cohesion and bring communities together around shared needs and aspirations. In a world marked by conflict, inequality, social fragmentation and declining trust, the theme recalls that peace is more than the absence of violence: it also requires inclusion, fairness, dialogue and economic security.
by the International Cooperative Alliance, this year's theme also reflects the capacity of the cooperative model to serve as a bridge between people and communities. Through democratic ownership, open membership and collective responsibility, cooperatives create spaces in which people can participate, be heard and work together across social and economic divides. Rooted in communities and connected through an international movement, they support livelihoods, decent work, poverty reduction, social integration and .
Brief History
The earliest record of a co-operative comes from Scotland in March 14 1761. In 1844 a group of 28 artisans working in the cotton mills in north of England established the first modern co-operative business.
Cooperatives: Enterprise for People and Communities
are democratic models of ownership rooted in solidarity, participation and sustainable development. They are founded on a simple but powerful idea: people can come together, in freedom and solidarity, to meet shared needs through enterprises that they own and govern democratically.
Cooperative identity
A people-centered form of enterprise
Defined by the as autonomous associations of persons who voluntarily unite to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprises, cooperatives place people at the centre of economic life. They are not driven by capital alone, nor are they designed primarily to serve outside investors. Their purpose is to serve their members, who may be consumers, workers, producers, service users, independent business owners or communities seeking collective solutions to common challenges.
Values that guide collective action
This distinctive model rests on an ethical foundation. Cooperatives are guided by the values of . In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members also uphold honesty, openness, social responsibility, and care for others. These values give cooperatives their particular character as institutions through which people share responsibility, exercise democratic voice and use enterprise to advance human dignity, social inclusion and community well-being.
Principles in practice
Democratic ownership and participation
The internationally recognized translate those values into practice. Voluntary and open membership ensures that cooperatives are open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without discrimination. Democratic member control makes members the ultimate source of authority, with active participation in policy-setting and decision-making and, in primary cooperatives, equal voting rights on the basis of one member, one vote. Member economic participation ensures that members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative, with surpluses used for cooperative development, member benefit, reserves or other purposes approved by members.
Independence, education and community
Other principles safeguard the independence, knowledge base and wider social purpose of cooperatives. Autonomy and independence require cooperatives to remain self-help organizations controlled by their members, including when they enter into agreements with Governments or raise capital from external sources. Education, training and information strengthen the capacity of members, elected representatives, managers, employees and the wider public to understand and support cooperative enterprise. Cooperation among cooperatives enables them to serve their members more effectively by working together at the local, national, regional and international levels. Concern for community affirms their commitment to the of the communities in which they operate, through policies approved by their members.
Mutually reinforcing standards
Taken together, these principles are not rigid rules, but practical and mutually reinforcing guidelines that give life to . They show how values can be expressed in governance, ownership, finance, education, partnership and community action.
The cooperative movement and development
Rooted locally and connected globally
The cooperative movement is both local and global. Rooted in communities, cooperatives respond to everyday needs: livelihoods, services, markets, credit, housing, food, care, production and social support. At the same time, they form part of an international movement guided by shared values and principles, and recognized as an important partner in .
Inclusive economic participation
By broadening participation in economic life, cooperatives help make development more inclusive. Because members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative, the model can widen access to wealth creation, reduce excessive concentration of capital and distribute benefits more fairly among those who use, work in or depend on the enterprise. Through open and voluntary membership, cooperatives can also support poverty reduction, productive employment, social integration and the participation of people who might otherwise be left behind.
Solidarity in action
In a world marked by inequality, uncertainty and rapid change, cooperatives offer a practical expression of solidarity in action. They are enterprises that are economically active yet socially accountable; locally rooted yet connected across borders; autonomous yet committed to the common good. By placing people and communities before capital alone, the cooperative movement demonstrates that economic activity can be organized in ways that advance dignity, shared prosperity and .
Facts & Figures
- More than 12% of humanity is part of any of the 3 million cooperatives on earth;
- The 300 largest cooperatives or mutuals report a total turnover of 2,409.41 billion USD while providing the services and infrastructure society needs to thrive;
- Cooperatives contribute to the sustainable economic growth and stable, quality employment, providing jobs or work opportunities to 280 million people across the globe ¡ª 10% of the world¡¯s employed population.
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