Canada’s co-operative sector is using the United Nations-proclaimed year of the co-op as a springboard to launch a $12 million, four-year campaign to support international co-op development.
Major Canadian co-ops and members have pledged more than $1 million for the project, which is dubbed the “Build a Better World” campaign.
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada campaign already has received pledges of:
- $500,000 over four years from Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
- $400,000 from Ontario dairy co-op Gay Lea Foods
The campaign is being directed by FCL president Glen Tully, former Concentra Financial Services Association chief executive officer Myrna Bentley and former Co-op Atlantic CEO John Harvie.
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John Julian, director of international communication and development for the Canadian Co-operative Association, said the funds will support a variety of programs, including supporting credit unions and co-operatives in developing countries.
One long-term possibility is to create worker co-ops in Africa to help educated and unemployed young people create self-employment.
“There is a wide range of worthwhile opportunities out there that we aren’t doing as much for as we could be because of lack of resources,” he said.
CDF board chair Michael Barrett said in a news release that the Canadian campaign was inspired by the international co-op year theme that co-ops build a better world.
It is appealing to Canadian co-ops, affiliated businesses and individual members to donate to the cause.
Barrett said the current campaign is an extension of the co-op movement’s traditional international focus.
“But additional resources will allow it to more aggressively pursue innovation and excellence in co-operative poverty reduction,” he said.
“With the resources we provide through the campaign, CCA will also be able to leverage substantial additional funds from the major international development funders and we want to help CCA build a lasting legacy of prosperity and peace through its partners around the world.”
