THEORY OF CHANGE

Practice, Promote and Protect:

ICA's Strategic Plan to Empower the Future of Cooperatives (2026-2030)

The cooperative movement stands at a pivotal moment. As global challenges reshape economies and societies, cooperatives must not only adapt but lead. ICA's Theory of Change provides a strategic roadmap to ensure cooperatives grow stronger, expand their influence, and shape a more equitable global economy.

At the core of this strategy is our Alpha and Omega—our foundation and our ambition. Our Alpha is the Statement on the Cooperative Identity, which defines who we are and how we do business. But identity must translate into action. Our Omega is a future where cooperatives represent a significantly larger share of the global economy while ensuring prosperity for all. Cooperation must move from alternative to essential—scaling from principle to power.

A Theory of Change outlines the logical path from vision to impact. It identifies the strategic interventions that create conditions for success, the key initiatives that turn those interventions into action, and the short- and long-term outcomes that measure progress. By 2030, our focus is on strengthening cooperatives, shaping policy, and increasing visibility. By 2035 and beyond, our goal is systemic transformation—where cooperatives are not just participants in the economy, but leaders in building a fairer, more sustainable world.

As part of this strategy, ICA has evolved its original four pillars—Participation, Sustainability, Identity, and Legal Frameworks—into five Strategic Interventions that more directly

address the challenges and opportunities ahead. People drive leadership,engagement, and cooperative education, equipping members with the knowledge and skills to succeed. Data strengthens visibility and advocacy, ensuring cooperatives can measure and communicate their impact. Advocacy secures the policies and regulatory frameworks needed for cooperative success, positioning cooperatives as a central force in the global economy. Finance provides cooperatives with the capital, financial tools, and investment structures necessary to scale and compete in a rapidly changing world. Future-readiness ensures that cooperatives are prepared to lead in innovation, sustainability, and emerging economic trends.

These interventions do not stand alone—they reinforce each other. Data fuels advocacy, finance enables future growth, people drive engagement, and advocacy creates the enabling conditions for cooperatives to expand their reach and impact. Together, they ensure cooperatives are not only resilient but well-positioned to compete, scale, and redefine the future of business.

ICA is not just supporting cooperatives—it is leading a transformation as a change agent. By aligning our Alpha—who we are—with our Omega—where we need to go, we are ensuring cooperatives not only survive but become the dominant force in shaping a fairer, more sustainable global economy.

Together, we will practice, promote, and protect cooperation—empowering the next era of cooperative success.

The Elements:

  • The Cooperative Identity—The foundation of all strategic and tactical actions, ensuring that every initiative aligns with cooperative values and principles.

  • Strategic Interventions—Groups of initiatives designed to drive transformative change within specific focus areas that address key cooperative needs.

  • Key Initiatives—Targeted clusters of projects that further an intervention's goals, driving measurable impact within the cooperative ecosystem.

  • Short Term Outcomes (2030)—The immediate, tangible impacts from our interventions that can be achieved by 2030.

  • Long Term Outcomes (2035 and Beyond)—The sustained, systemic changes that shape the cooperative ecosystem and its broader influence over time.

  • Strategic Objectives—The overarching directional goals that guide and connect our interventions and initiatives toward cooperative success.

  • impact on Individual Cooperatives—The success of this strategic plan is measured by its ability to strengthen individual cooperatives—enhancing their sustainability, competitiveness, and impact. Every initiative and intervention is designed with the cooperative enterprise at its center, ensuring that the plan drives real-world improvements in governance, operational effectiveness, and economic resilience. The ultimate goal is to expand the cooperative sector's share of the global economy while increasing prosperity for all.

Our Alpha—Our foundation—the Cooperative Identity defines who we are, our values, and how we do business.

Strategic Interventions

People

Data

Advocacy

Finance

Future

Key
Initiatives

Championing the Cooperative Advantage

Projects:

  • Develop customizable marketing materials and an identity kit
  • Create a cooperative stories database and communication plan
  • Launch the International Year of the Cooperative campaign
  • Expand the Dot Coop domain
  • Reaffirm the Statement of Cooperative Identity
  • Establish a global cooperative certification label

Potential Partners: ICA, CM50, ICA Regions and Sectoral Organizations, Individual cooperatives and members

Develop and Create Cooperatives Initiative

Projects:

  • Develop coordinated solutions to create and support new cooperatives
  • Assess existing mentorship programs
  • Explore global development financial investment mechanisms
  • Create a Coop AI Chatbot for cooperative development

Potential Partners: Cooperative incubators, ICETT / Principle 6, Apex cooperative federations, ITC, UNIDO, Dot Coop

Prioritize Women and Youth in Cooperative Leadership & Services

Projects:

  • Create a masterclass for cooperative leadership with a dedicated focus on women and youth.
  • Support cooperatives in scaling and expanding operations with an emphasis on inclusion.
  • Develop cooperative heritage sites to highlight diverse cooperative histories and achievements.
  • Establish a cooperative learning platform that provides mentorship and skills development for underrepresented leaders.

Potential Partners: ICA Working Group on Cultural Heritage, ICA Thematic Committees, Universities with cooperative studies programs, Cooperative incubators

Deepen Cooperative Research and Enable Training, and Education Initiative

Projects:

  • Create and distribute cooperative curriculum to educational institutions
  • Build a global map of cooperative heritage sites
  • Advocate for government implementation of ILO resolutions on cooperatives
  • Establish ICA Campus and Global Coop Erasmus
  • Preserve and organize ICA archives

Potential Partners: Cooperative universities (Mondragon, St. Mary's, etc.), Cooperative Development Organizations (CDOs), UNESCO and government bodies, Dot Coop

Transform Cooperative Knowledge into Data Power Through Coop Tech Platform

Projects:

  • Design and implement cooperative data collection protocols.
  • Develop case studies and materials to showcase cooperative success.
  • Map cooperative research initiatives and enabling regulation globally.
  • Consolidate cooperative knowledge, data, and research into a centralized repository.
  • Develop a Global Cooperative Supply Chain & Resource Platform to connect cooperatives.
  • Digitize best practices for cooperative governance, procedures, and policies.
  • Create a universal cooperative data structure to standardize reporting and transparency.
  • Facilitate the development of data cooperatives to enhance sector-wide intelligence.
  • Launch a Coop AI Chatbot to provide instant access to cooperative data and resources.

Potential Partners: ICA Sectors & Regions, CCR / Law Committee, ICETT / Principle 6, Civil society networks and research entities, Sectoral federations, Digital platform cooperatives Platform Cooperative Consortium, Dot Coop, ICA Apex Bodies and Federations

Step Up Cooperative Advocacy Through Comparative Policy and Law

Projects:

  • Utilize technology solutions to enhance cooperative law
  • Build partnerships with institutions and legislative bodies
  • Map environmental legislation related to cooperatives
  • Establish a policy coordination committee

Potential Partners: ICA Legislation Committee, COPAC, UN Bodies, ILO, ICJ, European Commission & DG INTPA, Partners such as Fairtrade and International Trade Union Confederation

Driving Cooperative Sustainability

Projects:

  • Develop a Cooperative Carbon Exchange
  • Measure cooperative impact on SDGs
  • Create a best-practices library for cooperative sustainability efforts
  • Secure sustainability commitments from ICA members

Potential Partners: ICETT / Principle 6, ICA member organizations with sustainability expertise, Global partners such as Acorn/Rabobank, Solidaridad

Funding Cooperative Growth

Projects:

  • Build partnerships with financial organizations and development finance institutions
  • Establish ICA as a financial agent for cooperative funding

Potential Partners: ICBA, ICMIF, Global Coop Investment Fund, World Bank Development Initiative International donors, Coop Exchange and cooperative-backed investment initiatives

Short Term Outcomes
(2030)

Expand effective education and training tools, that promote growth, diversity and scale of cooperative enterprises and their market share in the local and global economy.

Prioritize greater role for women and foster intergenerational solidarity in cooperative leadership, management and membership.

Mainstream education for cooperative enterprises by training more cooperators and enabling public and private funding.

Safeguard tangible and intangle aspects of cooperative cultural heritage through recognition, education and global exchange.

Deepen the relationship of cooperatives with the state and intergovernmental institutions through strengthened apexes and a stronger ICA.

Reposit data on cooperatives with the ICA as a public good fuelled by and channelled for its members and the communities they serve.

Power inovation and decision making through access to coop-data via a global platform and simplify the use of new-tech for primary cooperatives.

Unite the identity and branding of cooperatives worldwide through increased use of Dot.Coop, its marque as a standard & label for global verification, and support it via marketing & communication tools, including influencing via social media platforms.

Empower cooperatives worldwide through access to various streams of capital.

Boost climate awareness and cooperation among cooperatives, to help the global movement on a pathway towards net zero.

Long Term Outcomes
(2035 and Beyond)

Cooperatives are led by a significant share of women and young people, who operate in alignment with the Cooperative Identity Statement with the aim to serve their communities towards growth, responsible scale and sustainable development.

Data services from ICA and its members are delivered to and between cooperatives and their communities worldwide to enhance their intelligence, business & financial acumen and effective cooperation among cooperatives.

The Statement on the Cooperative Identity is the undisputed global legal standard in acknowledging, recognizing and appreciating genuine cooperatives that are clearly distinguished through the global cooperative marque.

Cooperatives trend as the most preferred business model because there is a greater as well as deeper awareness, visibility and understanding of the cooperative difference and advantage.

Laws and policies that concern cooperative enterprises are, as a norm, co-created by cooperators and representative cooperative institutions.

The number of cooperative members worldwide is doubled, and through proper monitoring the authenticity of the cooperatives secured.

Cooperatives have created an interconnected ecosystem for impact on sustainability and climate action.

ICA has members in all countries of the world.

Capital is no longer a conundrum for cooperatives anywhere and fluid access to financing solutions that are aligned with the cooperative identity, are prevalent.

Strategic Objective

Inclusive Opportunities in Cooperatives

Expanding access to cooperative leadership, economic participation, and governance for all, with a particular focus on youth, women, and underrepresented groups.

Strengthening Cooperative Networks and Cooperation

Enhancing collaboration across cooperative sectors, regions, and thematic areas to build a stronger, more interconnected global movement.

Building Awareness and Membership Growth

Promoting cooperative identity, increasing public recognition, and attracting new members through education and advocacy.

Enabling Regulation and Policy Recognition

Advocating for policies and legal frameworks that recognize and support cooperatives as a distinct and sustainable business model.

Advancing Cooperative Competitiveness

Providing cooperatives with the research, technology, and financial tools necessary to scale while maintaining cooperative values.

Impact on Individual Cooperatives

More Members Recruited and Engaged

Cooperatives experience increased membership as more individuals recognize the benefits of cooperative participation and economic democracy.

Strengthening Cooperative Knowledge

Cooperatives gain access to enhanced research, data, and learning opportunities, equipping them with the knowledge needed to grow and innovate.

Connecting with Core Values

Cooperatives remain rooted in their values and principles, ensuring alignment with the cooperative identity in their growth and operation.

Inspiring and Leading Change

Cooperative leaders develop the skills to inspire their members and communities while advocating for cooperative principles and impact.

Scaling with Cooperative Values

Cooperatives expand and scale their operations without losing sight of their core principles, ensuring sustainable and mission-driven growth.

Attracting More Youth and Women

Cooperatives create equitable opportunities and leadership pathways for youth and women, ensuring the movement's long-term sustainability and diversity.

Making Smarter Decisions

Access to internationally comparable cooperative-specific data empowers cooperatives to make informed, strategic decisions that benefit their members.

Gaining Community Recognition

Cooperatives that uphold cooperative values and principles gain stronger recognition and credibility within their communities.

Benefiting from Public Trust

Cooperatives gain increased trust from the public through transparency, ethical business practices, and alignment with the ICA Statement on the Cooperative Identity.

Cooperative Model Trends on Social

Cooperatives experience increased visibility as the cooperative model gains traction across media, social platforms, and public discourse.

Unlocking Growth Opportunities

Cooperatives can innovate and expand with access to cooperative-friendly capital, financial tools, and investment mechanisms.

Facilitating Cooperative Creation

Creating new cooperatives by, and with the strategic facilitation of, the local cooperative movements but driven by international best practice, will be easy.

Tapping into Global Networks

Primary cooperatives benefit from being connected to the greater cooperative ecosystem. They can easily connect with other cooperatives for trade, collaborations and general sharing of best practices.

Building a Stronger Cooperative Ecosystem

New cooperatives will be supported with the aim of creating resilient local economies that are based on the genuine practice of ICA cooperative principles. This will elevate the cooperative ecosystem.

Staying Competitive with Technology

Cooperatives leverage technological advancements to remain competitive, increase efficiency, and enhance member engagement.

Aligning with Cooperative Networks

Cooperatives establish stronger connections with national and international cooperative networks, benefiting from shared resources and advocacy efforts.

Leading on Sustainability

Cooperatives have the tools and information necessary to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, and create an environmental sustainability plan.

Supporting a Greener Future

Cooperatives collaborate to implement sustainable practices, reinforcing their role as leaders in environmental responsibility.

Our Omega—Our ambition— cooperatives will increase their share of the global economy while ensuring prosperity for all.