International development

International development is a key thematic area of Cooperatives Europe’s work. Cooperatives Europe engages in international development to ensure the cooperative model is recognised and supported within EU and global development agendas.  

Cooperatives are a proven approach to international development: they combine economic activity with democratic governance, strengthen local resilience, and ensure that benefits stay within the community. 

Together with our members in the Cooperatives Europe Development Platform (CEDP) and within the ICA-EU Partnership (#coops4dev🌍), we promote cooperatives as vital actors for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

ICA–EU International Development Partnership (#coops4dev🌍) for an Inclusive, Sustainable and People-Centered Future

In 2016, as a follow-up to the project’s successful results, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the European Commission signed the first Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) under the title “Cooperatives in Development – People-centred businesses in action”, for a duration of 5 years (2016-2022). 

The Partnership – shortened to #coops4dev🌍 – aimed to strenghten the global and regional cooperative movements and position cooperatives across the world as international development actors and partners to achieve the UN Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

In April 2024, a second ICA-EU Partnership was signed under the title ‘People-centered businesses for sustainable, democratic & inclusive development’ to continue promoting international cooperative development, and highlight its contribution to the UN Agenda2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The second phase, running until end of 2028, promotes a decentralised approach to international cooperative development to meet the specific needs of each ICA Region (Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe) whilst fostering strong cross-regional collaboration.

Cooperatives Europe Development Platform (CEDP)

The Cooperatives Europe Development Platform (CEDP) is Cooperatives Europe’s working group on international cooperative development, now gathering 14 members – 2 European sectoral and 12 at national level. The platform takes part in research, advocacy and capacity building activities under #coops4dev🌍  and holds a strategic advisory role to the Board of Cooperatives Europe on the impact of the EU External Action Agenda and international development issues.

History of our work on international development

2008 – Creation of the CEDP 

In 2008, Cooperatives for international development had gradually become a key workstream in the work of Cooperatives Europe. The first entry point was the establishment of the Cooperatives Europe Development Platform (CEDP) in 2008 as a Working Group on international cooperative development formed by 10 members of Cooperatives Europe engaged in development cooperation projects in developing countries.

2012 – First EU Project: Cooperatives in Development & UN International Year of Cooperatives

In 2012, Cooperatives Europe signed its first international development project “cooperatives in development” with the European Commission (then DG DEVCO, now DG INTPA) until 2015, leveraging on the expertise and work of the members of the regional development Platform gathering Europe-based cooperative development organisations (CEDP). Some of the wins include the recognition and direct mention of cooperatives as key actors in the civil society and private sector.

Also in 2012, the UN declared the First International Year of Cooperatives, recognising their leading role in economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Working together through local, national, regional, and international structures, cooperatives build a global network across sectors ranging from small-scale to multi-national businesses.

2012 – EU Commission Recognises Cooperatives as Civil Society Partners in International Development

In the same year, the European Union implemented a deep paradigm shift in its development policy to increase the focus on civil society organisations as essential development actors. The EU Commission Communication ”The Roots of Democracy and Sustainable Development: Europe’s Engagement with Civil Society in External Relations”, also endorsed in 2013 by a European Parliament Resolution, clarified the EU definition of CSOs to include cooperatives among civil society partners in international development actions. Furthermore, it explicitly recognised the role of cooperatives “in promoting entrepreneurship and job creations by mobilising grassroots communities, delivering services and stimulating income generating activities for the poor and marginalised”. Finally, it pointed at the distinctive dual nature of cooperatives as business enterprises on the one hand, and as membership-based associations organised for collective action on the other.

2014 – Cooperatives Recognised as Private Sector International Development Partners

A new communication from the EU Commission in 2014, A Stronger Role of the Private Sector in Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Countries, further strengthened the role of cooperatives in development actions by additionally and for the first time recognising them as important actors in the private sector.

2016 – First ICA-EU Partnership

In March 2016, words were put into action – Cooperatives Europe and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) signed the first Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) with the European Commission (also known as #coops4dev🌍), ushering in a new phase of collaboration on strengthening the cooperative movement as international development actors. This Partnership clearly defined cooperatives as people-centred businesses for international development. Through the first EU-ICA FPA, the European cooperative movement, jointly with its counterparts from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, implemented several research, advocacy and projects on international cooperative development worldwide.

2017 – EU Consensus of Development

On 17th of May 2017, the European Union adopted the new Consensus on Development. The document is a joint agreement among the most important EU Institutions – Commission, Parliament and Council, and is the outcome of extensive consultations with civil society, during which Cooperatives Europe played a leading role (read the full press release here). The Consensus provides the framework for a common approach to development policy by the EU Institutions and the EU Member States, guiding their action in their cooperation with all partner countries, in line with the UN Agenda2030.

The Document mentioned cooperatives in three distinct paragraphs: 

• • Cooperatives are best positioned to sustainably deliver local services, playing a key role in poverty eradication.
  • The creation of coops should be prioritised in the agricultural sector thanks to their environmental-friendly approach and drivers of food security.
  • Cooperatives are key partners in the implementation of the Agenda2030 thanks to their wider reach of the most vulnerable and marginalised.
    

2024 – Second ICA-EU Partnership

The overwhelmingly positive rate of implementation recorded in the first cycle triggered the interest of the EU Commission to renew the partnership. In fact, on April 12th, 2024 the second EU-ICA FPA was launched for a duration of 4.5 years.

Acting as partners, Cooperatives Europe, and the ICA Regional and Global offices are implementing 30 activities across research, advocacy, and communication to further enhance the role of cooperatives in international development cooperation, to strengthen the cooperative voice in international development programmes and policies, and in collaboration with members, sectors, civil society organisations, and international institutions.