Cooperatives in development post-2015 | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

In an article on "The Post-2015 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals" the Committee for the Advancement and Promotion of Cooperatives (COPAC) highlighted the inherent link between the cooperative business model and sustainable development. Sustainable development is at the very core of co-operative enterprises because the co-operative model is based on ethical values and principles and the goal of the model is to provide for the needs and aspirations of its members.

Co-operative enterprises promote the concept of Sustainable Development through a triple bottom line approach: economic, social, and environmental. The article explained that to allow cooperatives to fully achieve their goals several measures need to be taken. These measures are recognition, inclusion, access, and participation.

In order for co-operatives to be a part of the post 2015 agenda and a business model for the future, they need to be recognized and accessible to all communities.

To read the full article, please click here.