The co-operative movement can play a key role in a number of crucial areas that need addressing to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, co-ops have been “a vital force for good”. Speaking at the Alliance’s Global Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Brundtland praised the movement for the initiatives taken in eradicating poverty, improving access to basic goods and services, protecting the environment, and building a more sustainable food system.
International Co-operative Alliance (Alliance) www.ica.coop
The International Co-operative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. Founded in 1895, the Alliance has member organisations in 100 countries active in all sectors of the economy. Together these co-operatives represent nearly one billion individuals worldwide.
European Research Institute on Co-operative and Social Enterprise (Euricse) www.euricse.eu
The mission of the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises is to promote knowledge development and innovation for the field of co-operatives, social enterprises and other non-profit organisations engaged in the production of goods and services. The Institute aims to deepen the understanding of these types of organisations and their impact on economic and social development, furthering their growth and assisting them to work more effectively. Through activities directed toward and in partnership with both the scholarly community and practitioners, including primarily theoretical and applied research and training, we address issues of national and international interest to this sector, favouring openness and collaboration.
Welcome to the sixth annual World Co-operative Monitor report produced in partnership by the International Co-operative Alliance (the Alliance) and the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (Euricse). As we do each year, with this publication we report on the world’s largest co-operative and mutual organizations, providing a ranking of the Top 300 and sectorial analysis based on 2015 financial data.
