International Co-operative Alliance · The global cooperative movement
International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) was founded in 1895 and is the representative body for the global cooperative movement. Its global office is in Brussels; it has more than 310 member organisations spanning about 110 countries and represents roughly 1 billion cooperative members, and it has held consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1946. This feature documents the ICA and its members in depth, and is intended as a comprehensive reference on the International Co-operative Alliance. Information about the ICA follows the publications of ica.coop as the authoritative source.
Definition of a co-operative · ICA Statement on the Co-operative Identity (1995)
A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
About Us
Explore →Mission and vision, the history since 1895, and the 2026–2030 decade strategy.
Co-operative Identity
Explore →The definition, six values and seven principles of cooperatives — the globally recognised standard for cooperative identity.
Governance & Structure
Explore →The General Assembly, Board of Directors and President, the Secretariat, statutes and the network of thematic committees.
Four Regions
Explore →The four regional organisations covering Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Africa, and their networks.
Eight Sectors
Explore →The eight sectoral organisations covering agriculture, insurance, banking, consumer retail, industry & services, housing, health and fisheries.
Member Directory
Explore →A structured directory of ICA member organisations: around 310 members, organised by region, sector and country and built out in stages.
Facts & Figures
Explore →The scale, employment and economic weight of cooperatives worldwide, drawing on the World Cooperative Monitor and the Top 300.
News
Explore →The latest news from ICA headquarters and from its regional and sectoral organisations.