UN DECLARES 2025 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES
As we start 2025 – the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC2025) – many see this as an opportunity, growth and influence. Alongside Labour’s general election victory and its manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy this could prove to be a transformative period for co-operatives both nationally and internationally.
A co-operative is an organisation owned and run by its members. The members, who could be workers, customers or suppliers, enjoy an equal say in how the business is run and share profits fairly. A co-operative exists to benefit its members and the wider community, rather than simply to make profits for external shareholders. It is 180 years since the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers – recognised as the world's first successful consumer retail co-operative – came into existence. The society's founding principles of 1844 became the blueprint for modern co-operatives around the world.
Co-operatives UK CEO, Rose Marley said: “This is a historic moment for co-operatives. With the backing of the new UK government committed to expanding our sector, and international recognition from the UN, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the power and potential of co-operatives and the benefits member-owned business bring to society.”
The UN International Year of Co-operatives 2025 will give global recognition of the vital role co-operatives play in creating sustainable, inclusive and resilient economies through the theme ‘Co-operatives build a better world’. The UN is calling on member states to leverage the opportunity to make co-operatives better known globally. It’s also an important way to showcase how co-operatives globally contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and broader social and economic development.
In the UK, co-operatives will collaborate to support and promote the International Year of Co-operatives through events, campaigns and promotion.
