Welcome to the official website on the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). Here you will find information on events planned throughout the year, as well as suggestions on how to get involved and participate.

International years are declared by the United Nations to draw attention to and encourage action on major issues. The International Year of Cooperatives is intended to raise public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The Year will also highlight the strengths of the cooperative business model as an alternative means of doing business and furthering socioeconomic development.

For more information on the aims and objectives of the Year, please visit our "About IYC".

Global Map of Youth Cooperatives and Cooperatives working for/with Youth

The United Nations and partners want to hear from YOU! MY World is a global survey asking you to choose your priorities for a better world. Results will be shared with world leaders in setting the next global development agenda.

Tell us about the world you want, because your voice matters. Cooperatives are strongly encouraged to vote and push for the Cooperative agenda.





United Nations Focal Point on Cooperatives 2013 Survey on Cooperatives and Youth employment and entrepreneurship. Fill the survey: English | Spanish | French

Closing Ceremony of the International Year of Cooperatives, 19-20 November 2012.

International Year of Cooperatives Short Film Festival, 20 November 2012.

Global Forum and Workshop on "Harnessing the Cooperative Advantage to Build a Better World", 4-6 September 2012 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Advisory Group Members of IYC.

Rabobank Group has come forward as the first donor to the International Year of Cooperatives.

United Nations launched the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) at the UN General Assembly Hall on Monday, 31 October 2011 | Programme | Photos | Videos | Summary of Events during the IYC launch.

For more news on the year, please visit: http://uncoopsnews.org and to learn more about IYC Activities, please visit: http://social.un.org/coopsyear/iyc-activities.html.