Whereas, On June 19, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/289 proclaimed 2025 as the second International Year of Co-operatives, recognizing the vital role of co-ops in advancing sustainable development, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth;
Whereas, The theme of the International Year, “Co-operatives Build a Better World,” underscores the enduring global impact of co-operatives, positioning them as essential solutions to today’s global challenges. It highlights their contributions to sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, showing how co-ops are key drivers in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The theme also emphasizes the unique ability of co-operatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen community resilience;
Whereas, The UN Resolution recognizes that co-operatives, “in their various forms, promote the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of local communities and all people, including women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples, whose inclusion strengthens economic and social development, and contribute to the eradication of poverty and hunger”;
Whereas, For more than 175 years, the co-operative business model has empowered people around the world to improve their lives, livelihoods, and communities through enterprises that are democratically governed by their members, the people who use them in their roles as consumers, workers, and producers;
Whereas, More than 1 billion people are members of 3 million co-operatives in every nation of the world, employing 100 million people worldwide;
Whereas, There are more than 65,000 co-operative establishments in the U.S., where more than 1 in 3 people are members of a co-op or credit union and co-operatives operate across virtually all industries, including food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, employment, finance, housing, healthcare, and the arts;
Whereas, Food co-ops have been pioneers and innovators in the areas of healthy food, sustainable agriculture, economic inclusion, Fair Trade and strengthening local economies;
Whereas, The vision of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association is of a thriving co-operative economy, rooted in a healthy just and sustainable food system and a vibrant community of co-operative enterprise; and
Recognizing, The Neighboring Food Co-op Association’s previous resolution in support of 2012 as the first UN International Year of Co-operatives.
Resolved, That the Neighboring Food Co-op Association commits to
- Join with the United Nations, the International Co-operative Alliance, the National Cooperative Business Association / CLUSA International, the National Farmers Union and other organizations in celebrating the year 2025 as the second International Year of Co-operatives;
- Contribute to the efforts of the United Nations and the International Co-operative Alliance to use the opportunity of the Year of Co-ops to Raise Public Awareness, highlighting the contributions of co-operatives to sustainable development; Promote Growth and Development, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and establishments for co-operatives; Advocate for Supportive Frameworks, encouraging the creation of enabling legal and policy environments for co-operatives globally; Inspire Leadership, fostering purposeful leadership and engage youth in the co-operative movement; and
- Encourage its members to participate in the International Year of Co-operatives, promoting the vital role of co-ops and credit unions in the economic and social well-being of communities in our region, across the United States and around the world.
Adopted by the NFCA Board of Directors, 16 January 2025