PURPOSE: The International Day of Cooperatives is observed every year on the first saturday of July. The aim of #CoopsDay is to increase awareness of cooperatives and promote the movement’s ideas of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace. Cooperatives represent at least 12% of people on earth who are members of any of the 3 million cooperatives worldwide. They play an important role in addressing the needs of their members and communities and in the process, they contribute towards the implementation of the SDGs. Cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy worldwide—agriculture, finance, housing, health and care, education, energy, retail, industry and services —and have consistently demonstrated their ability to advance social justice, economic democracy, and ecological sustainability while offering efficient, innovative and inclusive solutions to community needs. Through #CoopsDay, local, national and global policymakers, civil-society organisations and the public in general can learn about the contribution of cooperatives to a just future for all.
FORUM: "Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World." International Day of Cooperatives 2025. On July 5th, the cooperative movement will celebrate the Day. In a time of growing global challenges, this year’s theme speaks volumes. Cooperatives—businesses owned and run by and for their members—are showing how it's possible to build strong communities by putting people, planet, and purpose before profit. From health and housing to agriculture, finance, and clean energy, co-ops are delivering real-world solutions that are inclusive, democratic, and sustainable. CoopsDay 2025 also connects with two major global efforts: the UN’s High-Level Political Forum, which is reviewing key Sustainable Development Goals, and the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development. These milestones remind us that cooperatives are not just local solutions—they’re part of a global movement for change. The worldwide cooperatives will have the opportunity to showcase their current and historical contributions to building a sustainable future, accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. Learn more on how Cooperatives help to move forward the United Nations 2030 Agenda and make SDGs a reality. Join us to help raise awareness of how cooperatives are driving progress for a better world. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #coops4sdgs, #CoopsDay, #6july, #Sustainability, #Cooperatives.
EVENTS: This year’s, we will mark the 31st International Day of Cooperatives recognized by the United Nations and the ICA event celebration will celebrate the 103rd International Cooperative Day. Through the Day, local, national, and international policymakers, civil society organizations and the public in general can learn about the contribution of cooperatives to a just and sustainable future for all. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) invites cooperators everywhere to spread the word about the Agenda 2030. Read the Concept note.
On July 5th; Communities around the world are coming together to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) under the inspiring theme: “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.” This year’s event is especially significant, taking place during the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025)—a rare, once-in-a-decade moment to spotlight the vital role of cooperatives in creating fairer, more resilient societies. The Objectives of this year's observance are to Raise Public Awareness by highlighting the contributions of cooperatives to sustainable development. To Promote Growth and Development by Strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and establishments for cooperatives. To Advocate for Supportive Frameworks by Encouraging the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for cooperatives globally. To Inspire Leadership by Fostering purposeful leadership and engage youth in the cooperative movement. Register to participate!
On July 8th at United Nations Headquarters, from 10:00 to 12:00 pm EST, conference room 12, the hybrid-event to mark the observance will be held. With less than five years to go to the 2030 deadline for reaching the sustainable development goals, the world is facing many challenges including persistent poverty, the climate emergency, economic shocks, conflict and growing insecurity. Progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is severely off-track. In a bid to resolve multiple global crises, United Nations Member States recently adopted the Pact for The Future, a commitment with ambitious and transformative actions to accelerate progress towards achieving the goals. Cooperatives operate in diverse sectors covering social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development. To mark the International Day of Cooperatives 2025, the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC); in collaboration with the United Nations Federal Credit Union and the New York City Department of Small Business Services will highlight the role of Cooperatives. Watch the livestream!
Hundreds of cooperative events occur annually around the world. Check map of the events!
“This year’s theme speaks to both the identity and urgency of the cooperative model. In a time of global uncertainty, cooperatives are proving that development can be democratic, inclusive, and grounded in solidarity. CoopsDay 2025, celebrated during the International Year of Cooperatives, is a powerful opportunity to amplify that message to the world." (Wenyan Yang, COPAC Chair)
"Across the globe, cooperatives are demonstrating that a values-driven enterprise approach can deliver real and lasting solutions. International Day of Cooperatives 2025 is a moment to recognize this collective strength and reaffirm our dedication to an inclusive and sustainable path forward.” (Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance)
PODCASTS: Cooperatives help to move forward the United Nations 2030 Agenda and make SDGs a reality. In a world convulsed by unacceptable war conflicts, experiencing growing inequalities, and threatened by climate change, we must deepen the cooperative paradigm, not only inside our organizations but also externally, to increase our impact on a global scale. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: .The ICA invites cooperators across the globe to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives and to show the world what can be achieved through the power of cooperation. The 2025 CoopsDay action pack including the poster, logos in English, in French, in Spanish, key messages, the IYC 2025 Media toolkit and other digital resources. Join the campaign!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The United Nations recognizes and reaffirms the role of cooperatives in economic, social and cultural development and in the achievement of social policy objectives as shown in various resolutions specific to cooperatives and the biennial publication of the Secretary-General’s report on the role of cooperatives in social development.
In resolution 47/90 of 16 December 1992, the General Assembly proclaims “the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance, and decides to consider the possibility of observing an international day of cooperatives in future years …”.
ACTIONS
Co-operatives around the world celebrate the Day in many different ways. Below are examples of some of the activities organised by co-operatives around the world:
The messages of the ICA and United Nations are translated into local languages and widely disseminated to co-operators, media, government officials at all level.
Co-operatives use newspapers and radio programmes to create awareness on their movements and contributions.
Co-operative Fairs, exhibits, contests, and campaigns are held.
Meetings with government officials, United Nations agencies and other partner organisations are held.
Co-operatives partner with community agencies to champion economic, environmental, social and health challenges (blood drives, tree planting, etc.)
Cultural events are sponsored – theatre, concerts, etc.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Cooperatives is hosted by the The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA); The United Nations Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC); The International Labour Organization (ILO); The World Bank; The European Confederation for Industries and Services (CECOP) The World Organisation for Cooperatives in Industry and services (CICOPA) and The Global Cooperative Network.
The ICA’s members are international and national cooperative organisations from all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, banking, consumer, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services.