Rochdale’s historic Toad Lane – the birthplace of the co-operative movement – marked 180 years of co-operation on Saturday, 21 December, with the launch of the Fund for International Co-operative Development (FICD). The new fund will provide financial support and expertise to co-operatives globally, helping communities rebuild after crises, foster peace, and create sustainable economies.
180 years ago, the Rochdale Pioneers united to create a solution to the unfair prices and poor-quality food they faced. Today, as communities grapple with similar challenges in food security and supply chains, co-operatives continue to play a crucial role in fostering trust, integrity, and resilience. The Fund for International Co-operative Development seeks to build on this legacy, addressing these issues through co-operative collaboration and support.
Timed just before Christmas, the launch underscores the true power of co-operation to foster resilience and peace. From responding to humanitarian crises to creating long-term, inclusive economies, the FICD reflects the principles of the Rochdale Pioneers and their legacy of working together to create opportunities for all.
The fund will focus on three key areas:
- Crisis response: Delivering immediate humanitarian assistance to areas affected by conflict and natural disasters.
- Medium-term rebuilding: Strengthening and developing co-operatives in post-crisis recovery.
- Long-term mutual aid: Promoting social justice by building resilient and inclusive economies through Co-op to Co-op trade.
The Fund for International Co-operative Development has been developed through collaboration between leading UK co-operatives, including Co-op Group, Central Co-op, The Midcounties Co-operative, Lincolnshire Co-op, and Co-operatives UK. Convened by Co-operatives UK, the International Co-operative Working Group (ICWG) has played a pivotal role, bringing together expertise from across sectors, including retail, housing, and the worker co-op movement.
Paul Gerrard, Campaigns and Public Affairs Director at Co-op Group, said:
“There have been few times in history where the world has faced so many threats – be it from conflict, climate change, or poverty. But in times of crisis and reconstruction, co-operatives have proven to be powerful vehicles for hope and peace. From Rwanda to Guatemala, co-operatives have rebuilt communities, showing that peace is possible through democratic, inclusive enterprise.”
Paul Waugh, Labour and Co-Operative MP for Rochdale, said:
“It’s a constant source of pride in Rochdale that we are the birthplace of the Co-Operative movement. But co-ops are a living, breathing thing, not a relic of the past.
“This new Fund for International Co-operative Development underlines the global nature of our mission. It is also a reminder that one of the original seven Rochdale principles was to “advance the common good”. That is as important in 2024 as it was in 1844.”
Debbie Robinson, CEO of Central Co-op, said:
“The creation of a Fund for International Co-operative Development represents an exciting opportunity to grow the Co-op economy on an international scale.
“Together, as co-operators, we can work together to find co-operative solutions to global challenges. By supporting new co-operatives through Co-op to Co-op trade, the Fund will encourage economic participation, building resilience in Co-ops and helping to address Food security challenges through greater access to safe and nutritious food.”
Dr Sarah Alldred, FICD Manager and Secretary, said:
“This fund is gathering momentum fast, with discussions already taking place with co-operatives and individuals across the UK and globally. Co-op organisations are invited to pledge support to the fund and become founder members. There will also be opportunities in 2025 for co-operatives to contribute, alongside ways for individuals to make micro-donations.”
Peter Westall, Chief Values Officer at Midcounties Co-operative, said:
“We know that for 180 years Co-operatives have made and continue to make a sustainable difference on a local, regional and global scale. Today, the sheer scale and reach of over 1 billion co-operative members worldwide and their ability to bring about sustainable and long-lasting change is more important than ever.
“The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives. This fund will enable all involved in the Co-operative movement to support both existing and new co-ops to reconstruct Communities and Societies across the globe, to genuinely meet the UN aim of Co-ops building a better world both in 2025 and also for many years to come.”
Alison Hands, CEO of Lincolnshire Co-op, said:
“We’ve proudly come together with our co-operative partners over the years in response to international incidents and disasters. We know that by working together, we have made a collective difference to efforts to provide aid and help communities rebuild. This dedicated fund will mean we can provide even more unified support to co-ops on the ground in times of crisis and will help us continue to evolve and develop the international co-operative network.”
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said:
“Over the past four years, the International Co-operative Working Group at Co-operatives UK has done an incredible job of co-ordinating fundraising drives and supporting co-operatives globally in times of need. For example, in 2021, we supported SEWA, the Co-operative Federation in India, to help coordinate its response to the Covid crisis.
“Our members have been incredibly generous and supportive on a number of fronts but now is the time for an International Development Fund to offer a more considered, and less ‘ad hoc’, approach. At a time when it feels like there is continuous crisis in pockets around the world, a mechanism to cope with this is much needed so we can better support our partners in the global co-operative community.”
The launch also marks the start of the UN 2025 International Year of Co-operatives, themed ‘Co-operatives Build a Better World,’ recognising the vital role of co-operatives in creating resilient and inclusive global communities.
Co-operatives interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Dr Sarah Alldred, FICD Lead and Secretary, at sarah.alldred@fund.coop or visit www.fund.coop