Understanding rural co-operative resilience in Malawi: a pilot study

The main aim of the research project is to investigate whether and in what ways co-operatives are resilient social and economic organisations. To this end, the project is focused on the Malawian co-operative movement to investigate whether and in case which strategies have been implemented over the last decade to build up renewed sustainable co-operatives, loyal and committed membership as well as visionary and accountable leadership. Investigating three case studies – the Mzuzu Coffee Planters Co-operative Union (MCPCU); the COMSIP Co-operative Union and Timber Millers Cooperative Union - the research project aims at understanding whether and how co-operative resilience is based on:

• Values and principles shared by co-operators, which support trust-building, social inclusion, equity and cohesion as well as growth of members and income;

• The development of collective capacities and skill areas;

• The development of expanded market networks, leading to the capacity to innovate.