1. Overview

About United Nation’s International Day of Cooperatives 2025 (CoopsDay)

The International Day of Cooperatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July and has been observed by cooperatives for over a century. Since 1995, the ICA and the United Nations (through COPAC) have jointly set the global theme and coordinated celebrations.

In 2025, CoopsDay will mark the:

• 103rd International Cooperative Day
• 31st United Nations International Day of Cooperatives

CoopsDay 2025 is a flagship moment within the IYC to mobilize awareness, foster new partnerships, and demonstrate how cooperatives build a better world—by and for all.

About the United Nation’s International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC2025)

The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This global initiative recognizes the critical role cooperatives play in advancing sustainable development.

The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), a multi-stakeholder partnership of global public and private institutions, will serve as the official host of the IYC, championing and supporting people-centred and self-sustaining cooperative enterprises as leaders in sustainable development.

Objectives of the IYC2025

• Raise awareness about the impact and potential of cooperatives globally.
• Encourage governments, private sectors, and civil society to support cooperative initiatives.
• Showcase success stories and innovations in cooperative models.
• Promote policies and practices that enable cooperatives to thrive.

Global Impact of Cooperatives

• There are approximately 3 million cooperatives worldwide, representing at least 1.2 billion members.
• These cooperatives span diverse sectors, including agriculture, banking, consumer, energy, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services.

Theme of CoopsDay

As a highlight of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), the International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) will be celebrated worldwide on Saturday, 5 July 2025 under the theme: “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”

This year’s CoopsDay offers a unique opportunity to amplify cooperative identity, visibility, and advocacy during the UN-designated International Year. Cooperatives across the globe are invited to organize activities and campaigns that showcase their contributions to building inclusive economies, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and responding to today’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Theme of IYC2025

This year’s theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World” underscores the enduring global impact of cooperatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how cooperatives are key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience.

For more on how cooperatives contribute to each SDG see: https://2025.coop/sdgs/ 

Key Messages:

• Cooperatives are people-centered enterprises that prioritize community needs over profit.
• Sustainability and inclusivity are at the core of cooperative models, making them vital partners for achieving the SDGs.
• Cooperatives empower communities by providing equitable opportunities for economic and social development.
• Innovation through collaboration: Cooperatives bring collective solutions to global challenges such as climate change and inequality.

2. Assets and Resources

CoopsDay.Coop

COPAC  has developed a dedicated website, https://coopsday.coop/  for the International Day of Cooperatives 2025, which will be launched in May 2025. The website serves as a hub for all Coops Day related activities, providing resources, updates, and tools for cooperatives and partners across the world. It is available in English, French and Spanish.

2025.Coop

COPAC, in close collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), has developed a dedicated website, https://2025.coop for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, which was launched in November 2024 at the occasion of the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in India. The website serves as a hub for all IYC2025-related activities, providing resources, updates, and tools for cooperatives and partners across the world. Stay tuned for more information as the year-long celebration unfolds.

Logos & Branding

The IYC2025 logo features a vibrant, interconnected design of people from diverse communities uniting to create positive change. The three key colors—red, blue, and green—are inspired by the SDG visual identity, representing cooperatives’ contributions to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. These colors encapsulate the triple bottom line that cooperatives work towards: people, planet, and prosperity. The words “International Year of Cooperatives” appear prominently below the logo, alongside the year “2025,” symbolizing the global reach and significance of this landmark year for the cooperative movement.

The logo is available in 12 languages: the six official UN languages—English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian—and another six languages have been created as requested by members of the International Cooperative Alliance - Italian, Hindi, Polish, Malay, Tunisian and Galician -. They can be requested for use through the official online application form. Additional translations of the logo may be adapted upon request by emailing the IYC2025 Secretariat at copac@copac.coop.

Non-UN entities wishing to utilize the IYC2025 logo, must follow these steps:

1. Review the branding guidelines: Before applying, carefully read the guidelines to ensure proper use of the logo.
2. Submit an application: Complete and submit the application form, which will be reviewed by the IYC Secretariat.
3. Sign the waiver of liability: As part of the process, you will need to sign and submit a waiver of liability.
4. Wait for approval: The approval process typically takes one to two weeks.
5. Receive the logo files: Once approved, you will be provided with the logo files to use in your materials throughout 2025.

Multimedia Content

Various visual materials are available for download on the Trello Board.

Video Messages from cooperative leaders and IYC ambassadors.

• Global Cooperative Leaders on the launch of the IYC 

• COPAC Chair, Wenyan Yang on the IYC 
• UN Secretary General, António Guterres on the IYC
• Opening speech at #ICANewDelhi2024 of ICA President Ariel Guarco 
• ILO Director General Message on the IYC 
• Cooperators around the globe hoisting the IYC2025 flag

Photos: High-quality images of cooperatives in action (please see the file for photo credits info)

Want to share pictures of your cooperative or IYC event? Please send to copac@copac.coop 

Social Media Sample Posts to help promote IYC2025:

• “🌍 #IYC2025 is here! Discover how 3 million #cooperatives worldwide are driving inclusive growth and sustainable solutions. Visit 2025.coop for more. #CoopsYear 💡🌱”
• “💪 Cooperatives are driving progress towards gender equality! 🚺 At the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2024, learn how #cooperatives empower women as leaders and create inclusive economic opportunities. 🌸📈 #IYC2025 #CooperativesBuildaBetterWorld #Coops4SDGs #CSW69”
• “📅 Save the date! 🗓️ July 5, 2025, marks the @UN International Day of Cooperatives. Let’s unite to showcase the power of #Coops4SDGs. 🤝🌟 #CooperativesBuildaBetterWorld”
• “🌟 From SDG 1 (No Poverty) to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), #cooperatives are leading the way. ➡ https://2025.coop/sdgs/ 🌐 Celebrate #IYC2025 and learn how cooperatives contribute to a better world! 🌱✨ #Coops4SDGs”

Hashtags:  #IYC2025, #CooperativesBuildaBetterWorld, #Coops4SDGs, #CoopsYear

Tagging:

• COPAC: @CopacCoop on X and LinkedIn
• International Cooperative Alliance: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube and Flickr.
• ILO Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X
• UN Task Force on the Social & Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE): Facebook, LinkedIn, X

Additional multimedia content will be made available throughout the year.

3. Communications Calendar

Throughout the International Year, communication efforts should be leveraged around international, regional, and national events. To view the full list of events that have been submitted or to submit your own, please visit: .

High-level events where cooperatives have been or will be highlighted by the UN include:

• November 2024: Launch at ICA Global Cooperative Conference, New Delhi, India.
• February 2025: 63rd UN Commission for Social Development
• March 2024: 69th Session of the  Commission on the Status of Women 
• July 5, 2025: UN International Day of Cooperatives (Coops Day)
• July 2025: UN High Level Political Forum
• November 2025: 2nd World Summit for Social Development.

Furthermore, the UN designates specific days and weeks as occasions to mark particular events or topics in order to promote, through awareness and action, various objectives. Many of these events offer an opportunity to showcase the role of cooperatives. A full calendar of UN International Days and Weeks can be found here: UN Observances List.

4. Quotes from Global Leaders

Ariel Guarco, President, International Cooperative Alliance (ICA): "For 200 years, our principles and values have guided this unique enterprise model. IYC2025 will amplify the prominence of cooperatives worldwide as key drivers for a sustainable future."

Jeroen Douglas, Director-General, International Cooperative Alliance (ICA): "The International Year of Cooperatives is a celebration of global cooperation and a call to action to harness the transformative power of cooperatives in shaping a better world."

Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO): “Cooperatives mobilize resources, generate employment, and contribute to local and national economies. Most importantly – cooperatives provide a path that places people at the heart of progress. The ILO is steadfast in its commitment to promoting cooperatives. We see them as a key driver of productive employment, decent work, and social justice. Together, let’s ensure that 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for cooperatives, one that brings the goal of a more just and inclusive global economy closer.”

Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations (UN-DESA): “The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is a time for both celebration and action. Cooperatives embody a model of enterprise and community where inclusion, empowerment, and societal resilience are just as valued as revenue and gain. Cooperatives have and will continue to be drivers of poverty eradication, women’s empowerment and social inclusion, while supporting full and productive employment and generating sustainable economic growth. Together, let’s show the power of cooperation to create lasting transformative change.” 

5. Share Your Cooperative Story

Stories.coop was founded in 2012 to celebrate the first International Year of Cooperatives. It was created to showcase cooperative identity and demonstrate how this model makes a tangible impact to build a better world.  In 2025, it is still a very inspiring source to tell the cooperative story. Help us to

Tips for sharing your story:

• Take some time to consider what IS your story? This sounds rudimentary, but it’s easy to forget the real story behind the numbers. If you are celebrating your co-op’s 25th anniversary, ask yourself, why was your co-op created? What solution did your co-op develop for the community that it serves? How did it help the community? What impact did it have on families? Do some research and think about who within your co-op community will have inspiring stories to share.
• Find a main character for your story. Can you tell the story through the eyes of someone in your co-op or your community, who has been impacted in a meaningful way? Using a personal story is an effective way to engage an audience.
• Keep it simple. Minimize the use of jargon and technical language.
• Stories should be submitted in English. Our website will translate it into 10 different languages.
• Context is everything! Don’t assume that our audience will know who your co-op is, what it does, or why it’s important. Give them the context, and remember, make sure your story has a beginning, middle, and an end.
• Using multimedia to tell your story. Today, all stories and content are published across several digital platforms: Websites (like this one!), social media, and video. Use more than one medium to tell your story — always include photos with your written stories, and make sure it’s between 200-600 words.  If possible, don’t send us photos of people shaking hands or posing in front of a sign. Instead, send us pictures of people in the community, doing their jobs, or high-quality close-up shots of the people in your story. If you have a video of this story, upload it onto your video channel (i.e. YouTube or Vimeo) and make sure you include the link to it in your submission.
• Video stories. Today, it’s getting easier to produce short videos to tell your story. Here are some video tips for some ideas.

6. Events Calendar

Events Portal: www.iyc.2025.coop 

From grassroots gatherings to international conferences, the IYC events portal features a diverse range of events organized by cooperatives and their allies. Explore what’s happening in different regions, get inspired by innovative initiatives, and find opportunities to connect, collaborate, and take part in the global cooperative movement.

Event Submission Guidelines

To ensure a smooth experience for all users and maintain the quality of content on the portal, please follow the guidelines below when submitting your event.

• Please fill in all relevant information in the event submission form.
• Ensure that the banner image uploaded is not larger than 10MB.
• Submit your event only once. You will receive a notification once your event goes live.
• Events are typically approved within 3–6 working days. To ensure timely visibility, please submit your event at least 15 days in advance.
• Kindly note that the portal is designed to showcase upcoming cooperative events and foster an inclusive global community. It is not intended to serve as a reporting tool for past activities.
• Please refrain from posting third-party advertisements, unless they pertain to events organized by cooperatives.
  

By following these guidelines, you help us maintain a meaningful, user-friendly platform for the global cooperative movement. We look forward to featuring your event!

For any questions or technical support, feel free to contact us at info@2025.coop

7. Contact Information

Mattie Milliken, COPAC Coordinator / IYC2025 Secretariat

Email: copac@copac.coop 

Leire Luengo, Director of Communications of the International Cooperative Alliance

Email: luengo@ica.coop