SDG Series – Cooperative contributions to SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

The current trajectory of SDG 16 is both a warning and a turning point. Rising conflict, deepening inequality, and declining trust are not isolated challenges; they reflect a broader erosion of the foundations of positive peace. Urgent, coordinated action is required not only to reduce violence but also to rebuild trust, strengthen institutions, and address the structural drivers of instability. Against that backdrop, the report “Cooperatives and Peace: Strengthening Democracy, Participation and Trust. A Case Study Approach” affirms that cooperatives play a key role in the pursuit of peace and are well-placed to advance SDG 16 in various ways, drawing on cooperative values and principles. This brief was produced by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and COPAC in collaboration with Cooperatives Europe and other ICA regions.

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Find the full report here

The Cooperative Difference in Advancing Peace, Accountability, and Inclusion

Cooperatives offer a distinct model of enterprise that embeds democratic governance, accountability, and social cohesion at its core. By aligning decision-making with members’ and the community’s needs, cooperatives become schools of democracy where people can participate, vote, and have collective responsibility in their everyday economic lives. In Europe, cooperatives act as safe spaces for dialogue and enable cooperation across divided communities, demonstrating how democratic ownership can accelerate progress toward SDG 16.

European Success Stories

• Ukraine: The Molochna Rika Cooperative combines dairy and horticultural production and engages young members in cooperative governance. Having resisted throughout the full-scake invasion of the country, it now serves as a model of resilience and innovation in Ukraine and fosters community trust.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Cooperativa Agricola Insieme was founded by a group of mothers and wives in the aftermath of the Srebrenica massacre on the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Serbia. It transforms small berry fruits grown by local families into jams and nectars under the label “Fruits of Peace”. It fosters peace by promoting cooperation, giving work to 500 families in the territory, and enabling the return of displaced people to the area.

• Finland: Food and Forest Development Finland (FFD) is a non-profit development organisation supporting agricultural and forestry producer organisations and cooperatives in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Since 2012, it has led projects focused on strengthening institutional capacity, governance, and service delivery, supporting the key role of well-functioning cooperatives and farmer organisations in governance systems.

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Why Cooperatives Matter

• Trust-building: Cooperatives can act as safe spaces for dialogue, enabling cooperation across divided communities.

• Recovery: They also play a critical role in stabilisation and recovery, aligning competitiveness and fair and sustainable value chains in post-conflict settings.

• Inclusion: By addressing economic exclusion and promoting fair labour conditions, cooperatives tackle one of the key drivers of instability and strengthen inclusive economic participation.

• Solidarity: Embedded solidarity within cooperatives extends their positive impact and fosters peaceful and inclusive societies.

Recommendations for Policymakers

To fully leverage the full potential of cooperatives in advancing SDG 16, five priority actions emerge:

• 1. Elevate SDG 16 as a cross-cutting national priority, with clear targets, financing, and accountability mechanisms across sectors.
  2. Institutionalise cooperatives as partners in peacebuilding and governance, integrating them into public policy frameworks, recovery strategies, and local governance.
  3. Accelerate justice reform and protect civic space, expanding access to justice and safeguarding human rights defenders and civil society.
  4. Invest in inclusive economy systems to address the root causes of conflict, supporting cooperatives and other inclusive models.
  5. Strengthen SDG 16 data systems and accountability mechanisms, improving disaggregated data on violence, exclusion, and institutional performance.

Find the full policy brief here

This article has been co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of  Cooperatives Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.