Cooperatives offer a proven model for locally led environmental action. #CoopsDay 2025 (5 July) had the theme ‘Driving inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world’ – so we looked at how cooperatives are organising collective solutions to manage natural resources both on land and in marine environments. SDG14 (Life Below Water) and SDG15 (Life on Land) focus on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of our planet’s diverse ecosystem: find out more about how cooperatives accelerate these actions in the latest policy brief.

As democratic, member-owned enterprises, cooperatives organise collective solutions to manage natural resources, adapt to climate impacts and restore ecosystems. We have compiled a number of case studies demonstrating how participatory structures ensure stewardship is both equitable and rooted in local knowledge. This month, we also speak with Fabíola da Silva Nader Motta, General Manager of the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives, about how the organisation plans to get co-ops on the agenda at COP30.

A political declaration at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) includes explicit recognition of cooperatives and the broader social and solidarity economy as key actors in sustainable development.

The event, held from 30 June to 3 July 2025 in Seville, Spain, marked a critical milestone in global efforts to reform financing mechanisms and mobilise resources for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provided a timely platform to address structural challenges in the international financial system and catalyse the investment needed to accelerate SDG implementation.

During the first week of July, cooperators from around the world converged on Manchester and Rochdale (pictured), UK, for the ICA General Assembly (hosted by the Co-op Group), Festival of Cooperatives and the UK’s Co-op Congress (hosted by Co-operatives UK)! Over 460 people representing 100 countries came in person to share in a week of activities, culminating on #CoopsDay on 5 July. It was a special time for cooperatives given the #IYC2025 - and a special time for Greater Manchester as the world’s cooperatives returned to Rochdale, where modern co-operation began 180 years ago.

During the Festival of Cooperatives, the members at the ICA General Assembly adopted a new long-term strategy for the global movement (2026-2030). The public version will be launched at the end of the year. The week also saw several parallel events hosted by ICA regional, sectoral bodies and thematic committees, as well as meetings convened by and about the International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT), Cooperative and Mutuals Leadership Circle (CM50) and G20. The week also saw the ICA Youth Committee elect a new president, Harsh Sanghani.

June saw the launch of three vital ICA documents, which tell the stories of what we have done – and through this, what we will be doing next. The 2024 Annual Report provides an update on everything the ICA and its sectors, regions and thematic committees achieved last year. The Conference Report pulls together the summaries, outcomes and actionable next steps from the ICA’s 2024 Global Conference in New Delhi. The Coopathon Report shares what happened at the collaborative event to connect young leaders with the cooperative movement in New Delhi.

During June, the ICA launched a number of reports and contributed to events showcasing how cooperatives are aiming to build a better world. Over 200 participants attended the online launch of a new report, The Opportunities and Benefits of Collective Ownership, by the International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT), on 10 June. The ICA also opened the Policy Forum on Development and met with the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships on 17-19 June in Brussels.

This newsletter is brought to you in partnership with Co-op News, an independent media organisation serving the global co-op movement. Click here to find out more.

Here are some highlights of #CoopsYear celebrations from around the world... Click on each picture to find out more - and tag @icacoops / #IYC2025 to be featured next month!

ICA CCR 2025 Global Research Conference (8-11 July)
UN HLPF: SDGs Implementation – Are Cooperatives Fit for Purpose? (15 July)
UN HLPF: Fostering social justice, decent work and economic democracy (18 July)
Cooperative Law Summer School (24-29 August)
Global Innovation Coop Summit (27-28 October)
Second World Social Summit (4-6 November)
10th EMES International Research Conference (3-7 November 2025)
5th International Forum on Cooperative Law (13–14 November)

Copyright © 2025, All rights reserved.
To unsubscribe, email dataprotection@ica.coop.