A group of people (women, men and children) of an African cooperative is waving their hands to the camera, standing in front of a red brick house.

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Cooperatives

Group photo of workers from a cooperative supported by the ILO in the streets Lilongwe (Malawi). © Marcel Crozet/ILO

Cooperatives play a crucial role in job creation, mobilizing resources, generating investment, and contributing to the economy, while also promoting the fullest participation in the economic and social development of all people.

News and articles

ILO and Al-Quds University pledge to empower Palestinian youth through innovative cooperative models
ILO OPT Officer in Charge, Ms. Rasha El Shurafa, and Al-Quds University President, Dr. Imad Abu Kishek, signing the strategic agreement.

ILO and Al-Quds University pledge to empower Palestinian youth through innovative cooperative models

ILO and Spain conclude project to enhance market access for Palestinian agricultural cooperatives
a group of people in a meeting

ILO and Spain conclude project to enhance market access for Palestinian agricultural cooperatives

More news and articles

Highlighted story

I faced my hardships, and it made me stronger
A woman next to a motorbike

ILO Voices

I faced my hardships, and it made me stronger

A woman next to a motorbike

Leena Penildas Thatkuras is a beneficiary of the ILO project “Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Reconciliation" (LEED+).

Guidance and resources

Education and training
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Education and training

A group of women sit on the floor and discuss
Legislation and policy
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Legislation and policy

A wall of different national flags in a meeting room of the International Labour Conference
Statistics
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Statistics

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Most recent publications

Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Japan: Twelve dialogues

Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Japan: Twelve dialogues

The Mbéré Fair in Meiganga (Adamaoua, Cameroon), November 29 to December 1, 2024

ILO/KOICA cooperation

The Mbéré Fair in Meiganga (Adamaoua, Cameroon), November 29 to December 1, 2024

All publications
Cooperatives and the World of Work series
Four Senegalese female dressmakers

Cooperatives and the World of Work series

Four Senegalese female dressmakers

The series of briefs highlights how cooperative model engages in the changing world of the work

Thematic pages

Projects

JEUN’ESS: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy and Creation of Decent Jobs for Tunisian Youth

JEUN’ESS: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy and Creation of Decent Jobs for Tunisian Youth

Cooperative Support Programme for Palestine (CSP-OPT)

Cooperative Support Programme for Palestine (CSP-OPT)

See more projects

Partnerships

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We work with

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Related topics

Social and Solidarity Economy
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Social and Solidarity Economy

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Social finance

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Topic portal

Sustainable enterprises