Building People-Centred Enterprises in Latin America: Second Report on Cooperatives in Development Released

Cooperatives Europe releases today its latest publication “Building People-Centred Enterprises in Latin America and the Caribbean – Cooperative Case Studies”. The document showcases 20 best practices, from renewable energy to quinoa cultivation, from handicraft to credit unions. It highlights the ability of cooperatives to provide services of common interest, generate innovation and solidarity, improve livelihoods via fair trade and environmental initiatives, and provide financial inclusion.

This publication is a follow-up of the conference that Cooperatives of the Americas and Cooperatives Europe jointly organised within the 3rd Cooperative Summit of the Americas in Cartagena. After ‘Building inclusive Enterprises in Africa’, this is the second publication on the role of cooperatives in development released this year by Cooperatives Europe. 

Cooperatives Europe, The Co-operative College and Kooperationen drafted the document based on the contributions from the experts of the Cooperatives Europe Development Platform.

In the publication’s foreword, Linda McAvan, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Development, wrote: “I am pleased to give my support to this paper, which showcases how some private sector stakeholders can efficiently foster inclusive development. The European Parliament is eager to support inclusive business models such as cooperatives, which empower local communities.”

Commenting on the publication, Marc Noel, Cooperative Development Manager at Cooperatives Europe, said: “These case studies show to what extent cooperatives in Latin America are key to foster sustainable development. We welcome the support of the EU Parliament and hope that other Institutions will follow and include the cooperative model in their policies and programming.”