Happy Holidays from the Global Co-op Conference!

The 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) was officially launched at the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly, in New Delhi, India — and your Neighboring Food Co-ops were there!

 

The gathering, organized by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and hosted by IFFCO, attracted delegates from over 100 countries under the theme, “Co-ops Build Prosperity for All,” and focusing on four conference pillars: Reaffirming the Co-operative Identity, Enabling Supportive Policies, Developing Strong Leadership, and Building a Sustainable Future.  The dialog included more than 100 speakers, including representatives from the United Nations, government officials, scholars and activists, and co-operators from around the world as the co-operative movement celebrated the launch of the second International Year of Co-ops in 2025.

Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA) Executive Director Erbin Crowell was in attendance, representing our member co-ops as well as the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) and DotCooperation.  Crowell also serves on the Co-operative Identity Advisory Group (CIAG), which submitted its recommendations to the ICA General Assembly on “Articulating, Living, Communicating, and Protecting” the Identity after a multiyear, international consultation with the movement.  At the Assembly, delegates approved the resolution and called for a Congress to be convened to continue the dialog.

Read the rest at Neighboring Food Co-ops Association