Ukrainian Central Union of Consumer Societies (Ukoopspilka)

The Ukrainian Central Union of Consumer Societies (Центральна спілка споживчих товариств України, Ukoopspilka) is the national apex organisation of Ukraine's consumer cooperative system. Ukrainian consumer cooperation dates back to the 1860s; this union was founded in 1920, succeeding the earlier Dniprosoiuz central cooperative union. During the Soviet period it was incorporated into the USSR's Centrosoyuz system and long managed Ukraine's consumer cooperative network, at one point covering tens of thousands of outlets and more than 10 million members. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, Ukoopspilka was re-established and continues as the representative organisation of Ukrainian consumer cooperatives, a member of international bodies including the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).