2025 has been declared the United Nations' International Year of Cooperatives, shining a spotlight on how coops can help tackle global challenges and power sustainable development. 🌱
Why cooperatives matter:
- Community-driven: Coops are owned and run by members, making sure everyone has a say.
- Sustainable impact: From fair trade coffee to renewable energy, coops push for eco-friendly solutions.
- Economic equity: By sharing profits and risks, coops can bridge gaps and reduce inequality.
Goals for 2025:
- Boost awareness: Show how coops contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Youth engagement: Invite young people to lead and innovate within coops. 🚀
- Policy support: Encourage governments and institutions to create coop-friendly regulations.
Challenges ahead:
- Limited resources: Coops often struggle to access funding and training.
- Regulatory hurdles: Complex rules can make starting or scaling a coop tough.
- Visibility: Many people still don't know what a coop is or how it works.
As 2025 unfolds, the UN aims to unite governments, businesses and communities around the cooperative model. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur or just curious, it's time to see how coops can change the world together! 🤝
Reference(s):
United Nations mark 2025 as “International Year of Cooperatives”
cgtn.com
