Co-ops across the world
![A Brazilian woman harvesting coffee](png/dayany_de_assis_dos_santos_ferreira_farmer-member_of_coopfam_and_womens_group_mobi_22f24.png)
The modern day co-op movement was founded in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1844. Since then, the co-operative model has spread across the world, impacting on the lives of over a billion people.
A global movement
From huge banks to Chilean beekeepers – there are 3 million co-ops of all types and sizes across the planet. You’ll find co-ops in more than 100 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. There are international co-ops too, like the Pachamama Coffee Cooperative, which is owned and run by thousands of farmers from around the world.
International co-ops
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) is the international body that unites, represents and serves co-ops worldwide – with 312 members from 109 countries.
The ICA created the Statement of Co-op Identity, which is accepted around the world as defining and guiding co-operatives. It contains a definition of a co-op, the values of co-operatives, and the seven co-operative principles.
European voice
The voice for co-ops in Europe is Cooperatives Europe. It brings together 84 member organisations that represent 176,000 co-ops with 141 million members and 4.7 million employees.
Across the UK
Co-operatives UK is the apex body for co-ops in the UK, and we represent Britain’s 7000 co-ops internationally.
![A Brazilian woman harvesting coffee](png/dayany_de_assis_dos_santos_ferreira_farmer-member_of_coopfam_and_womens_group_mobi_227cc.png)
Fairtrade coffee changing women's lives: CoopFam
![Illustration Proud to be a Co-op](png/poster_web4bf0.png)
Co-op values and principles
![Owned by our members marque (black)](png/co-operativesuk_coop_ownedbyourmembers_marque_rgb_black%402x8b57.png)
About us
![Two members of Ceramics Co-op](jpg/170503_ceramics_coop1890-new-dog2d94.jpg)