Theme announced for CoopsDay 2025: Driving inclusive and sustainable solutions for a better world

13 May 2025

Brussels, 12 May 2025 – International Cooperative Aliance (ICA) is pleased to announce the official theme for the 2025 International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay): “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”

To be celebrated on Saturday, 5 July 2025, this year’s CoopsDay will serve as a flagship moment within the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025) – a once-in-a-decade opportunity to spotlight the critical role of cooperatives in building more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

A Timely and Transformative Theme

As the world confronts intensifying economic and climate-related crises, persistent inequality and fragile social protection systems, the 2025 CoopsDay theme calls attention to the powerful role of cooperatives in delivering evidence-based, people-centered solutions.

CoopsDay 2025 aligns with two major global policy processes:

• The Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), which will focus on social inclusion, poverty eradication and sustainable development; and
• The United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which will review progress on SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Cooperatives operate in every sector of the economy worldwide – agriculture, finance, housing, health and care, education, energy, retail, industry and services… – and have consistently demonstrated their ability to advance social justice, economic democracy and ecological sustainability while offering efficient, innovative and inclusive solutions to community needs.

“Across the globe, cooperatives are demonstrating that a values-driven enterprise approach can deliver real and lasting solutions. International Day of Cooperatives 2025 is a moment to recognize this collective strength and reaffirm our dedication to an inclusive and sustainable path forward”, Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance.

“This year’s theme reflects both the identity and urgency of the cooperative model,” said Wenyan Yang, Chair of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC). “In a time of global uncertainty, cooperatives are showing that development can be democratic, inclusive and rooted in solidarity. CoopsDay 2025 is our chance to amplify that message to the world.”

CoopsDay 2025: How to Get Involved

As part of IYC2025, CoopsDay offers a platform for cooperatives to increase visibility, forge partnerships and engage new audiences. A refreshed CoopsDay logo – aligned with the IYC visual identity – has been released for use in promotional materials.

Cooperatives and partners are encouraged to:

• Visit the updated CoopsDay website: https://www.coopsday.coop
• Download the updated CoopsDay 2025 logo and media kit: https://trello.com/b/BbuhjOge/international-day-of-cooperatives-2025
• Submit or view events on the IYC events platform: https://iyc.2025.coop
• Share your cooperative story: https://stories.coop/

About the International Day of Cooperatives

The International Day of Cooperatives has been celebrated globally by the International Cooperative Alliance since 1923 and was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995. It is held every year on the first Saturday of July to increase awareness of cooperatives’ contributions to development and peace.

In 2025, the celebration marks:

• The 103rd International Cooperative Day, and
• The 31st UN International Day of Cooperatives

The theme is selected jointly by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC), in consultation with UN partners and the cooperative movement.

COPAC’s membership includes the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).

Discover more about CoopsDay