{"id":1340723,"date":"2024-07-03T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1340723"},"modified":"2024-07-03T13:09:49","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T12:09:49","slug":"ireland-to-celebrate-un-international-day-of-cooperatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/ireland-to-celebrate-un-international-day-of-cooperatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Ireland to celebrate UN International Day of Cooperatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS<\/a>) will celebrate the 30th UN International Day of Cooperatives this coming weekend on Saturday July 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This day, marked globally for over a century, highlights the substantial contributions of the cooperative movement to societal and economic development, and this year\u2019s theme is \u2018Cooperatives build a Better Future for All’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edward Carr, president of ICOS said: \u201cICOS calls on the government, communities and all stakeholders to continually support the cooperative movement and promote its benefits for a just and sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“By working together, we can build a better future for all through the power of cooperatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN International Day of Cooperatives<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The UN International Day of Cooperatives aims to emphasise the important role of cooperatives in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICOS is the umbrella body for the cooperative movement in Ireland \u2013 including dairy processing cooperatives and livestock marts \u2013 whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of \u20ac16 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has about 175,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland, and a further 24,000 people overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, there are some 1,000 co-ops in Ireland, and the largest 100 organisations employ approximately 40,000 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Cooperatives represent a unique and powerful way of doing business, one that is built on the principles of mutual benefit, democratic control, and sustainable development,” Carr continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“They have a proven track record in creating resilient and inclusive communities, particularly in times of economic hardship.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome of the most readily recognisable cooperatives in Ireland include the dairy processing cooperatives and livestock marts, creating multi-million revenues and employing thousands of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“However, there are many other cooperatives including the credit unions, housing co-ops and member-based enterprises engaged in renewable energy, retail, tourism, education and training, among many others,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ICOS also provides a guide with a roadmap for setting up a cooperative, covering steps such as planning, commercial feasibility, membership enlistment, investment, and registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marking the International Day of Cooperatives, ICOS is encouraging all entrepreneurs, innovators and communities across Ireland to explore the cooperative model as a viable and rewarding way to do business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCooperatives offer a unique blend of economic stability, social equity, sustainable practices and community empowerment,” Carr continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Their approach not only supports individual members but also contributes to the broader societal good, making them a vital component of a resilient and equitable economic system.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile cooperatives have traditionally thrived in the agri-business and rural sectors, ICOS believes that the cooperative model holds vast potential across various industries, including digital services, renewable energy, tourism, housing, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cooperative approach is particularly advantageous in times of market failure, offering a collaborative solution to challenges faced by individual businesses,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering setting up a cooperative?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, ICOS has said that cooperatives stand out as resilient and effective models for fostering community wellbeing and sustainable development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The society has claimed that unlike many traditional businesses, co-ops often perform better during economic downturns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They provide stable employment opportunities, which helps sustain local economies even in challenging times, according to ICOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperatives are also champions of social equity<\/strong> as they operate on principles of democratic control, where each member has a voice in decision-making processes, ICOS has stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, it said, ensures an equitable distribution of profits, meaning that the success of the enterprise is shared among all members rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another benefit of cooperatives according to ICOS is sustainable development<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It said that co-ops play a big role in community empowerment, creating cohesion among members by enabling them to work together towards common goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This collaborative approach not only strengthens community ties but also empowers individuals by giving them a platform to contribute meaningfully to the success of the enterprise, according to the organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICOS will host a free ‘Co-op Start-up Business Planning Webinar’, from 1:00p.m. to 2:00p.m this Friday, July 5<\/strong> for anyone considering setting up a co-op.<\/p>\n\n\n