2 July 2026 -  Inequality, fragmentation and polarization are on the rise. Around the world, many people feel excluded from economic opportunities and from decisions that shape their lives. This sense of exclusion can erode trust in institutions and weaken social cohesion, slowing progress toward inclusive social development. 

But there is another story unfolding. In communities everywhere, people are coming together to solve everyday challenges: from accessing jobs and financial services to securing affordable food. This collaboration often takes the form of cooperatives: enterprises owned and run by their members, where every person has an equal voice. 

Cooperatives transform everyday workplaces – from farms to small businesses – into spaces where people collaborate, solve problems collectively and share responsibility. In doing so, cooperatives model and implement governance systems grounded in fairness, inclusion and accountability.  

By promoting shared ownership and inclusive economic participation, cooperatives can help address some of the root causes of conflict, including inequality, exclusion and marginalization. They contribute to poverty eradication, create decent work and foster a sense of belonging. As spaces where people work together rather than compete, cooperatives strengthen social bonds, build mutual understanding and reinforce social cohesion. 

Inclusive and participatory institutions such as cooperatives are essential to sustainable development. This is at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which recognizes that peaceful societies, strong institutions and accountability are critical for progress across all the Goals, from ending poverty to protecting the planet. 

UN DESA supports the strengthening of such institutions through its research, policy guidance and capacity-building on cooperatives for sustainable development. On 4 July 2026, the International Day of Cooperatives will bring together cooperative enterprises, policymakers, scholars and partners to reflect on the contributions of “Cooperatives for a peaceful world.” 

Cooperatives show that peaceful and inclusive societies are built from the ground up, when communities come together and place people at the center of development.  


For more information: International Day of Cooperatives