International Day of Cooperatives

International Day of Cooperatives History

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated on the first Saturday in July every year as a tribute to the cooperative movement's efforts to improve people's lives globally. The day's goal is to raise awareness about the cooperative movement's relevance, contributions, and impact. The day also aims to promote and uphold the cooperative model as a valuable and sustainable alternative to business as usual.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first International Day of Cooperatives in 1995, and the theme for the inaugural observation was Cooperation among Cooperatives. Since then, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the United Nations invite cooperatives globally to celebrate the day with a particular theme each year. In Canada, cooperatives play a crucial role in the country's economy, providing employment opportunities, essential services, and food security. According to the Canadian Co-operative Association, over 18 million Canadians are members of at least one cooperative, and the top 100 cooperatives in the country generate over $55 billion in assets.

The day's celebrations in Canada include events organized by cooperatives to educate the public about the benefits of cooperatives to their communities. Such events could include cooperative fairs, workshops, exhibitions, and community service projects. Through these activities, Canadians are given the opportunity to learn more about the cooperative movement and show their support for it. The International Day of Cooperatives is observed annually on July 1st.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 International Day of Cooperatives in Canada

• The 2026 theme for the International Day of Cooperatives is “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World,” a focus that highlights the model’s unique capacity to foster social cohesion, inclusivity, and trust in an increasingly fragmented society.
• This year’s theme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, which centers on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions through democratic and people-centered enterprises.
• The global cooperative movement utilizes this occasion to advocate for the role of co-ops as “bridge builders” that bring diverse communities together around shared needs and aspirations.
• In Canada, the cooperative business model is highly prevalent across diverse sectors, including agriculture, retail, finance, and housing, with over 5,600 active non-financial cooperatives operating nationwide.
• Canadian cooperatives represent a significant economic force, collectively holding tens of billions of dollars in assets and providing tens of thousands of jobs for residents across the country.
• The observance serves as a platform to celebrate the unique structure of cooperatives, which are businesses owned and democratically controlled by their members rather than external shareholders.
• Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC) serves as the national apex organization, representing the interests of the Canadian cooperative movement and coordinating efforts to raise awareness during this annual observance.
• The principles of the movement include voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, and concern for community, all of which are highlighted during outreach events held across various Canadian provinces.
• Many everyday Canadian brands and service providers operate as cooperatives—such as credit unions, retail chains, and agricultural suppliers—even if the word “co-operative” does not appear in their primary brand name.
• The celebration traces its roots back to 1923 when the International Cooperative Alliance first began observing the day, a tradition later expanded through a formal partnership with the United Nations in 1995 to elevate the movement's global profile.

In the News and Trending in Canada for International Day of Cooperatives

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Explore upcoming events near you. The International Cooperative Alliance hosts events that focus on community and societal growth.
• Watch the UN's 2020 International Day of Cooperatives video if you missed it. The video focuses on cooperative solutions that can help lower the risks of climate change.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about cooperatives in Canada. Here are some suggestions:
  1. A Silent Transformation (2017) - This documentary showcases the transformative power of the cooperative model in diverse Canadian communities. It features several Canadian cooperatives, including a renewable energy co-op and a housing co-op.
  2. The Spirit of Cooperation (2017) - This documentary, produced by the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation, explores the concept of worker cooperatives and highlights one example, Just Us! Coffee Roasters, in Canada.
• Show your support by visiting and purchasing from local cooperative businesses such as food co-ops, credit unions, housing cooperatives, and worker co-ops.