Celebrating Collective Power for a Better Future
The International Day of Cooperatives (Coops Day) is observed on the first Saturday of July. It is to celebrate the role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive and sustainable development, as well as social equity. A cooperative is an enterprise that brings individuals together to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs. The idea of people working together for mutual benefit has ancient roots. The cooperative movement began in the early 19th century, in part responding to the difficulties arising from the Industrial Revolution. The cooperative movement in India has a significant history, closely tied to the country’s socio-economic development, dating back to the early 20th century. The online delivery system is impacting the cooperative movement, both positively and negatively. In a world facing complex issues such as economic inequality and social fragmentation, cooperatives offer a resilient and inclusive model. Cooperatives build a better future for all.
Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive
and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World
The International Day of Cooperatives (Coops Day) is observed on the first Saturday of July. It is to celebrate the role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive and sustainable development, as well as social equity. The observation is a joint effort of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the UN. The ICA, founded in 1895, has celebrated International Cooperative Day since 1923. The observation day was chosen to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the ICA.  Â
A cooperative is an enterprise that brings individuals together to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs. They are member-owned organisations prioritising community welfare over profit. The membership is voluntary and open to all, functions with independence and autonomy, and there are over 3 million cooperatives worldwide. 2025 marks the UN International Year of Cooperatives.
The idea of people working together for mutual benefit has ancient roots. The cooperative movement began in the early 19th century, in part in response to the challenges posed by the Industrial Revolution. The model spread across Europe and the world, influencing sectors like agriculture, banking, dairy, handlooms, housing, and retail. Cooperatives became especially important in rural areas, helping small producers and consumers gain access to markets and services.
The cooperative movement in India has a significant history, closely tied to the country’s socio-economic development, dating back to the early 20th century. Post-independence, the Indian government adopted cooperatives as a key strategy for rural development and poverty alleviation.
The online delivery system is impacting the cooperative movement, both positively and negatively. Many cooperatives are adopting digital tools for inventory management, payments, and logistics, thereby improving efficiency and transparency. There are challenges. Many rural cooperatives lack the infrastructure or digital literacy to leverage online platforms (digital divide) fully. Cooperatives often struggle to match the scale, speed, and marketing budgets of large private e-commerce firms.Â
There are ~3 million cooperative enterprises worldwide, involving over 1 billion members (~12% of the global population) and ~10% of the employed population. India hosts over 6 lakh functional cooperative societies, with a combined membership of more than 28 crore people, making India one of the most significant cooperative movements globally.
In a world facing complex issues such as economic inequality and social fragmentation, cooperatives offer a resilient and inclusive model. Their emphasis on shared responsibility and community well-being makes them not just relevant but essential in shaping a sustainable future.
They are not just businesses—they are vehicles for social change, demonstrating that success can be achieved without compromising equity or the environment.
Several prominent individuals have played significant roles in shaping and strengthening the cooperative movement. Robert Owen (UK) is known as “Father of the Cooperative Movement”. There are many in India as well. Amul, founded in 1946 in Gujarat, became a model for dairy cooperatives, paving the way for the white revolution under Dr. Verghese Kurien. Tribhuvandas Patel (Co-founder of Amul with Dr. Kurien), Vaikunth Mehta (Cooperative Education and Training), Ela Bhatt (Women’s Cooperatives, Founder of Self-Employed Women’s Association, SEWA), and G.R. Gopalaswami (a key figure in early cooperative policy and legislation in India).
Cooperatives create lasting social impact by reducing inequality, strengthening local economies, empowering people democratically, and building resilient and sustainable communities. Reminding the world that cooperation, not competition, can create a more inclusive and sustainable future. Cooperatives build a better future for all.
Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All
Toons: Reema and Anusha
Logs: M Sai Baba
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