Cooperatives can help build a peaceful world: this was the message shared by millions of cooperatives on 4 July, marking the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives. The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has been celebrating CoopsDay on the first Saturday of July since 1923, and the day has been officially recognised by the United Nations since 1995.
This year, people around the world shared the hashtags #CoopsDay and #CoopsDay2026, and messages were shared by senior figures within the movement and beyond, including Dr Ariel Guarco (ICA President) and Gilbert F. Houngbo (International Labour Organization Director General).
“Humanity urgently needs to move towards a future of peace as a result of solidarity, inclusion, and social justice,” said Dr Guarco. “Let us continue building together the future we want and deserve, for ourselves and for the generations that come after us.”
To mark the day, the ICA and the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) hosted a side event on 6 July, during the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). “Cooperatives as Drivers and Partners of Transformative and Localized SDG Action” brought together key stakeholders to explore how cooperatives contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Across the globe, we witnessed how cooperators from every part of the world participated in actions with a strong digital component but also in person to highlight the role cooperative businesses play in a fractured world.
Cooperative organisations joined the global call for a future of peace in every region and sector. In his #CoopsDay message, ICA-Africa President, Mr. Macloud Malonza, reminded cooperators that lasting peace is rooted in justice, solidarity, inclusion, and shared prosperity, the very values at the heart of the cooperative movement. From the Asia Pacific region, ICA-AP President, Dr. Chandrapal Singh Yadav reminded the movement of the transformative power of cooperation in building bridges, strengthening communities, and creating a more peaceful world – while Ms Chitose Arai, Chairperson, ICA-AP Committee on Women, shared a thoughtful message on the power of cooperatives to build stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable communities.
Cooperatives Europe president, Giuseppe Guerini, spoke about why the cooperative economy is an essential requirement for peace, and Cooperatives of the Americas president, Dr José Alves de Souza Neto, described the importance of cooperatives in building bridges between differences.
CICOPA, the International Organisation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives, published a statement highlighting that “worker and social cooperatives contribute to peace every day, not only by creating jobs and economic opportunities, but by strengthening democratic participation, social inclusion, and solidarity within communities”, while the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) shared a range of stories showing how cooperation strengthens communities, from expanding financial inclusion and supporting people through times of need, to sharing knowledge and solidarity across borders.
President of the International Cooperative Banking Association (ICBA), Bhima Subrahmanyam, delivered a message on the importance of youth engagement and commercial viability for cooperative financial institutions, and shared ICBA’s new partnership with financial education NGO Aflatoun International.
Consumer Cooperatives Worldwide (CCW) President Petar Stefanov said that the theme of this year’s CoopsDay “reminds us that cooperatives contribute to peace not only with words, but with concrete actions”, strengthening local economies, expanding access to goods and services, promoting democratic participation, creating opportunities for all, and building trust and solidarity.
Cooperative Housing International (CHI) also reflected on the theme, highlighting its connection to the 2019 ICA Declaration on Positive Peace through Cooperatives, which calls on cooperatives to strengthen their contribution to peaceful and inclusive societies, adding that “housing cooperatives are part of this effort every day. Beyond providing homes, they help build stable and resilient communities rooted in mutual support, democratic participation and long-term commitment to people and place.”
The International Health Cooperative Organisation celebrated the CoopsDay by stating that “true stability and peace begin with community well-being”, and, “in the context of overstretched healthcare systems, health cooperatives offer a proven, people-centred alternative where health is a shared community responsibility”.
Globally, national federations and individual cooperatives also celebrated the day. For example, the P&V Group tower lit up the streets of Brussels throughout the weekend, displaying the COOP Marque while Hilde Vernaillen, President of Febecoop, the Belgian Federation of Cooperatives, and chair of P&V Coop (cooperative insurance company) published an op-ed entitled “The Cooperative Business Model: A Societal Project, a Peace Project”.
French newspaper La Croix published a piece from four cooperative leaders, who highlighted the relevance of this business principle, and in Spain, Concoval (the Valencian federation of cooperatives) inscribed 20 stories in the #Coopsday map, published several articles in the press, and hung banners throughout the region. In Bulgaria, the Central Cooperative Union celebrated Coopsday in front of the monument of the first Bulgarian cooperative "Oralo" in the village of Mirkovo – and the UK celebrated its annual Co-op Fortnight in the lead-up to #CoopsDay.
Mauritius marked the International Day of Cooperatives with a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cooperative Monument in Les Jardins de la Compagnie, Port Louis, organised in collaboration with the Mauritius Cooperative Alliance Ltd. The ceremony honoured the pioneers, leaders, and members whose vision and commitment have helped shape the country's cooperative movement and its contribution to national development.
In Togo, the House of Cooperatives celebrated with a lively Cooperative Festival in Aného. The festivities included a parade through the town, a cooperative trade fair at the Oasis Hotel beach, cultural and traditional performances, and an awards ceremony recognising cooperatives that have made an outstanding impact in their communities.
In Kenya, the cooperative movement began CoopsDay celebrations with Ushirika Environmental Day on 20 June 2026, bringing cooperatives together for nationwide tree-planting activities to promote environmental conservation. The celebrations culminated in the 104th Ushirika Day, which celebrated the achievements of Kenya's cooperative movement and its continued contribution to the country's economic and social development
In Argentina, the celebration coincided with the 100th anniversary of the first electric power cooperative in South America (in Punta Alta, Buenos Aires Province). Through digital channels, federations - integrated in the national confederation (Cooperar) - showed in unison how cooperatives create public services, work, telecommunications, housing, rural production. And how, through this, communities build peace.
A binational event was held by the Pontifical Javeriana University (Colombia) and the Andean University Simón Bolívar (Ecuador). Centred in Bogotá and Quito, a hybrid forum addressed the challenges cooperative organisations face in promoting peace worldwide, and particularly within the Andean Community of Nations. Danilo Salerno, Regional Director of Cooperatives of the Americas, participated.
In Mexico, the National Institute of Social Economy (INAES) actively promoted the Cooperative Bazaar in emblematic spaces such as the Los Pinos Cultural Complex. There, social sector organisations showcased and sold products directly to consumers, fostering fair trade. And in Costa Rica, special activities were held with school cooperatives (such as the "Building a Future" school cooperative) to transmit the values of equity, democracy, and teamwork to new generations.
Cooperatives across India celebrated the Cooperative Week from 29 June to 4 July. The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) organised a series of nationwide thematic activities to promote cooperative values and innovation. Key initiatives included the Sahakar Samvad Diwas (College Dialogues Youth Campaign), which engaged students on the cooperative model, democratic enterprise, and sustainable development.
The National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF Nepal) organised a grand celebration. The event brought together government officials, cooperative leaders, and stakeholders to discuss the sector’s contribution to economic and social development. The celebration reflected Nepal’s long-standing commitment to the global cooperative movement and its belief that cooperation remains a pathway to prosperity and peace.
The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) in Australia promoted the global theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World,” through its #PowerofCo campaign. The campaign highlighted how the Seven Cooperative Principles contribute to building inclusive, democratic, and resilient communities, while encouraging greater public awareness of the cooperative business model. You can find out more about the region’s celebrations here.
While we cannot list them all in this article, www.coopsday.coop website collects every event and story: send us yours to media@ica.coop
