If there’s any doubt regarding the impact cooperatives have made, and continue to make around the world, look no further. The United Nations (UN), created in 1945, for the second time in 13 years, has declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
The intention of the declaration is:
- To raise awareness of the contributions of cooperatives to poverty reduction, employment, and social integration
- To highlight the cooperative business model as a solution to global challenges
- To promote cooperatives as a way to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030
- To highlight the values of equality, equity, and solidarity inherent in the cooperative model
How can you participate?
- Tell your co-op story! How did your co-op transpire? What need did it address? How has it helped the community you aimed to serve?
- Spread the word about cooperatives on the internet and social media! Use the official logo, visual identity, and hashtags in your respective co-op communication and personal online channels (#iyc2025 #coopsyear #cooperativesbuildabetterworld)
- Donate to cooperatives who are forming, co-ops in potential need, and cooperative development entities
SAVE THE DATE for a Minnesota celebration for the International Year of Co-ops! CDS is thrilled to support CoMinnesota and the West Central Initiative for an event on July 29-30 at University of Minnesota, Morris.Stay tuned for more details!
Click here for more information about the International Year of Cooperatives