FORUM: ''Cooperatives for a peaceful world." International Day of Cooperatives 2026. The theme also aligns with the ICA 2026 Global Conference theme, Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World. At a time when many parts of the world are experiencing conflict, social fragmentation, rising inequalities, economic insecurity, and declining trust, there is a growing need to build bridges and support approaches that strengthen cohesion and rebuild connections across societies. The conference, which is taking place in Panama in September, will explore the contributions cooperatives make towards peace by building bridges between people, communities and ideas and creating inclusive spaces for participation. The role of cooperatives is underlined in the 2019 ICA Declaration on Positive Peace through Cooperatives, which calls on the cooperative movement to deepen its commitment and strengthen actions that advance peaceful and inclusive societies.The theme also resonates strongly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and the ICA and COPAC are developing a policy brief to highlight cooperatives’ contributions to peacebuilding as part of the IYC2025 SDG policy brief series. Let’s Make the International Day of Cooperatives 2026 Unforgettable by showing the world how cooperatives are building a peaceful world, one community at a time. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #coops4sdgs, #CoopsDay, #Sustainability, #Cooperatives.
EVENTS: On July 4th, Communities around the world are encouraged to take part in the celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives 2026 by organizing events, sharing stories, and promoting this year’s theme. The world needs positive peace and cooperatives are uniquely positioned to deliver it. Join us in building a peaceful world, one cooperative at a time. Explore the events map and Register to participate!
STATEMENTS: “Cooperatives have long contributed not only to the absence of conflict, but to the presence of justice, inclusion, and trust; the essential foundations of positive peace. Across sectors and regions, cooperatives contribute to peaceful societies by strengthening local economies, expanding access to vital services, promoting democratic participation, creating opportunities for all and fostering trust and solidarity.” Mr. Jeroen Douglas, ICA Director General.
Key Messages:
Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It’s the presence of justice, inclusion, trust, and cooperation: values cooperatives embody every day.
Cooperatives are schools of democracy: Through one member, one vote, we teach participation, deliberation, and collective responsibility, strengthening the habits of open, resilient societies.
We bridge divides: From Cyprus to Colombia, cooperatives bring together divided communities, reintegrate former combatants, and rebuild trust post-conflict.
We address root causes of conflict: By sharing ownership, creating livelihoods, and strengthening local institutions, cooperatives tackle inequality and exclusion,key drivers of instability.
SDG 16 is at the heart of our 2026 campaign. Cooperatives are ‘local infrastructure for peace’, advancing justice, accountability, and inclusive institutions.
Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It’s the presence of justice, inclusion, trust, and cooperation: values cooperatives embody every day.
Cooperatives are schools of democracy: Through one member, one vote, we teach participation, deliberation, and collective responsibility, strengthening the habits of open, resilient societies.
We bridge divides: From Cyprus to Colombia, cooperatives bring together divided communities, reintegrate former combatants, and rebuild trust post-conflict.
We address root causes of conflict: By sharing ownership, creating livelihoods, and strengthening local institutions, cooperatives tackle inequality and exclusion,key drivers of instability.
SDG 16 is at the heart of our 2026 campaign. Cooperatives are ‘local infrastructure for peace’, advancing justice, accountability, and inclusive institutions.
Why SDG 16 Matters?
● The 2025 Global Progress Report on SDG 16 reveals a reality: violence is rising,
justice is uneven, and trust in institutions is eroding.
○ 120 million people are displaced (double 2015 levels).
○ 502 human rights defenders were killed in 2024.
○ Conflict-related deaths are at their highest since WWII.
● Positive peace (Johan Galtung) = absence of violence + presence of justice,
inclusion, and cooperation: the foundation of cooperative values.
How Cooperatives Advance SDG 16?
SDG 16 Target & Cooperative Contribution
Target 16.1: Reduce violence
Cooperatives rebuild trust in post-conflict zones (e.g., Rwanda,
Colombia, Cyprus).
Target 16.3: Access to justice
Social cooperatives integrate marginalized groups, expanding
economic and legal inclusion.
Target 16.5: Reduce
corruption
Democratic governance and transparency in cooperatives
combat corruption.
16.6: Effective
institutions
Cooperatives act as local infrastructure for peace, filling
gaps where states struggle.
Target 16.7: Inclusive
decision-making
One member, one vote ensures equitable participation in
economic and social life.
Deep Dive
● Cooperatives as Schools of Democracy: Members practice participation,
deliberation, and collective responsibility, strengthening civic culture.
● Bridging Divides: Bicommunal cooperatives in Cyprus and worker cooperatives in
Colombia reintegrate divided communities.
● Economic Inclusion: Cooperatives address root causes of conflict (inequality,
exclusion) by sharing ownership and creating livelihoods.
● Cultural Heritage: The ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage Programme preserves
democratic traditions that sustain social trust and peaceful coexistence.
HOW TO JOIN #CoopsDay 2026?
Take Coordinated Action to Amplify Impact
1. Host a Local Event
● Organise a ‘Peace Through Cooperation’ workshop or event and
register it in the CoopsDay map
● Partner with local peacebuilders (NGOs, schools, governments)
● Tell us how your cooperative is a school of democracy
(mechanisms, initiatives, etc.), send it to media@ica.coop
Example (from the SDG brief): In Rwanda, the Umugenge Cooperative
used mushroom farming to rebuild trust post-genocide. Tell us your story
2. Amplify the Message
● Social media storm: On 4 July, flood platforms with your stories of
how cooperatives build peace.
■ Hashtags: #CoopsDay #Coops4Peace #BuildingBridges
■ Tag: @ICAcoop: we’ll reshare! Let’s trend together!
● Op-eds/letters: Pitch to local media and share it with us!
● Internal Campaigns: Share the SDG 16 brief with members and host a
discussion on cooperatives as ‘local infrastructure for peace’.
3. Advocate for Policy Change
● Engage policymakers with our SDG 16 brief. Ask: ‘How can cooperatives be recognised as peacebuilders in national strategies?’
● Take a picture with the poster: it is a call for peace from the cooperative movement. Share it on social media + tag @ICAcoop: we’ll reshare!
● Promote the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage (CCH) Programme to preserve democratic traditions.
4. Join the ICA Global Conference in Panama
● Register now for the ICA Global Conference, ‘Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World,’ happening this September in Panama. This is your chance to deep dive into the
theme, share your experiences, and connect with global leaders in the cooperative movement. Let’s make #CoopsDay 2026 the starting point for a year of impactful action.
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES
Ready-to-Post Messages for #CoopsDay 2026
Message 1: The Power of Cooperatives Text: "Peace isn’t just the absence of war, it’s the presence of justice, inclusion, and cooperation. 🕊️ Cooperatives embody these values every day. On #CoopsDay 2026, we celebrate how #Coops4Peace build a better world. #CoopsDay #BuildingBridges
Message 2: Schools of Democracy
Text: "One member, one vote isn’t just governance, it’s practice for a fairer society.
Cooperatives are schools of democracy, teaching participation, trust, and collective
responsibility. How does your cooperative build peace? Share your story! #CoopsDay
#Coops4Peace"
Message 3: Bridging Divides
Text: "In Cyprus, bicommunal cooperatives bring Greek and Turkish Cypriots together. In
Colombia, worker cooperatives reintegrate former combatants. Cooperatives bridge divides
and rebuild trust. How is your cooperative fostering peace? #CoopsDay #Coops4Peace
Message 4: Addressing Root Causes
Text: "Inequality and exclusion fuel conflict. Cooperatives tackle both by sharing
ownership, creating livelihoods, and strengthening local institutions. This
#CoopsDay, let’s celebrate cooperatives as ‘local infrastructure for peace’. #SDG16
#Coops4Peace" Visual: Infographic on how cooperatives address SDG 16 targets.
Hashtags: #CoopsDay #SDG16 #Coops4Peace
Message 5: Call to Action
Text: "The world needs positive peace and #cooperatives are uniquely positioned to deliver
it. On 4 July, join the global #CoopsDay movement! Host an event, share your story, or
advocate for policy change. Together, we build peace. #CoopsDay #BuildPeaceTogether"
Final Notes for ICA Members
● Customize messages with your cooperative’s story, photos, or local examples.
● Tag @ICAcoop and use the official hashtags to connect with the global movement.
● Engage your community: Encourage members, partners, and local leaders to
share their own messages.
● Track impact: Use the #CoopsDay map to see how your actions contribute to the
global campaign.
COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get the 2026 Media Kit!
MATERIALS FOR ICA MEMBERS
Ready-to-Use Resources
Material Description Link
CoopsDay
website - Official 2026 website and archive from 2021.
#CoopsDay 2026
Logo - Ready to use 2026 logo in EN ES FR(PNG/SVG).
SDG 16 Brief - Full brief on cooperatives as agents of positive peace.
Global
#CoopsDay Map - Register your event and see what others
are doing worldwide. Send us: 1) Name
of organisation 2) address/location of
event 3) 1 hi-res image 4) A block of text
describing the event/occasion (max 400
words) 5) A link to website or
event/social media page
media@ica.coop
Declarations - ICA Kigali Declaration on Positive Peace
(2019)
