International Day of Cooperatives

International Day of Cooperatives History

The International Day of Cooperatives is a day dedicated to promoting and celebrating the cooperative movement globally. The day aims to encourage public awareness of cooperatives' contributions to sustainable economic growth and social development, and to recognize successful cooperatives worldwide. The celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives in Australia is supported by the National Cooperative Council (NCC). The NCC is comprised of representatives from the cooperative sector, including industry associations, federations, and individual cooperatives. The NCC aims to strengthen the cooperative movement in Australia and promote the values and benefits of cooperatives.

In Australia, the International Day of Cooperatives has been celebrated since 1923. It was initially created as a national day to recognize the significant socioeconomic impact of cooperative enterprises in the country. The day has since expanded to a global celebration, with organizations worldwide coming together to highlight the importance of cooperatives in various sectors, such as agriculture, finance, and housing.

The International Day of Cooperatives is usually celebrated with events such as conferences, workshops, and community activities.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Day of Cooperatives in Australia

• The 2026 International Day of Cooperatives is set to follow the momentum of the United Nations’ historic declaration of 2025 as the second-ever International Year of Cooperatives, a rare global designation intended to highlight how these member-owned businesses accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The official theme for the 2026 observance has been announced as Cooperatives for a Peaceful World!, focusing on how the cooperative model fosters social cohesion, reduces economic inequality, and provides a stable foundation for peace through democratic participation.
• Within Australia, the cooperative and mutual sector is significantly more pervasive than many realize, with research from the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) showing that an estimated eight out of ten Australians are members of at least one cooperative or mutual enterprise.
• Many of the country's most recognizable brands operate under this model, including the Western Australian grain-handling giant CBH Group, the dairy cooperative Norco, and major motoring and insurance groups such as NRMA, RACQ, and HCF.
• The Australian sector has developed world-leading expertise in measuring social impact through the Mutual Value Measurement framework, a research-based tool created in collaboration with Monash University that is now being adopted by international cooperatives to prove their total value beyond simple financial profit.
• In the face of a national housing affordability crisis, there is growing public interest in the role of housing cooperatives, which currently provide secure and affordable homes for thousands of households across the country and are being championed as a scalable solution to rental stress.
• The 2026 celebration marks a century-long tradition for the global movement, which first celebrated the day in 1923, and reinforces a new United Nations resolution to observe an International Year of Cooperatives every decade starting from 2025.
• Despite being some of the largest unlisted companies in Australia, cooperatives like the Capricorn Society and Australian Unity contribute to a sector that generates over $47 billion in annual revenue and employs nearly 100,000 Australians, often in regional areas where other business models are less viable.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of Cooperatives

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Explore upcoming events near you. The International Cooperative Alliance hosts events that focus on community and societal growth.
• Watch the UN's 2020 International Day of Cooperatives video if you missed it. The video focuses on cooperative solutions that can help lower the risks of climate change.
• Engage with local farming, arts or community cooperatives. In regions like New South Wales and Victoria, there are many agricultural cooperatives where you can find local produce or learn more about the cooperative model.
• Consider becoming a member of a community cooperative, housing cooperative, or a member-owned financial institution like an Australian credit union or mutual bank, as a way to support the cooperative movement in Australia.