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International Day of Cooperatives

Celebrate International Day of Cooperatives and support local businesses - shop small, think big!

Saturday

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Saturday in July

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYBusiness

SUBCATEGORYEntrepreneurship

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to celebrate International Day of Cooperatives on the first Saturday of July! This day is all about recognizing and appreciating the value that cooperatives bring to our communities. Cooperatives have been around for centuries, but it wasn't until 1992 that the United Nations made this special day an official event. It's a great opportunity to honor and support the cooperative movement, which provides much-needed services such as access to food, health care and financial services. So let's come together and celebrate International Day of Cooperatives!

TIMELINE

International Day of Cooperatives Timeline

Rochdale Pioneers

The Rochdale Pioneers created the first cooperative, a cornerstone event in the cooperative movement.

Formation of ICA

International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), a non-profit international association, was founded to unite, represent and serve cooperatives worldwide.

First Cooperative Party MP

A. J. Cook became the first Cooperative Party Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK, giving cooperatives political representation.

UN Recognition

The United Nations recognized and reaffirmed that cooperatives are crucial in economic development and social progress.

Establishment of the Holiday

The United Nations officially established first Saturday of July as International Day of Cooperatives.

Year of Cooperatives

The United Nations declared 2012 as the "International Year of Cooperatives" highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate International Day of Cooperatives

Organize a fundraiser

Host a fundraiser for a local cooperative and raise money for their cause. Invite people to donate and offer fun activities to get involved in like raffles, silent auctions, bake sales, and more.

SPREAD

Spread the word

Take to social media and spread the word about cooperatives and how they benefit their members. Use your platform to share stories of successful cooperatives and get people talking.

START

Start a cooperative

Gather up some like-minded individuals and start your own cooperative. Through collective action you can work together to achieve common goals and reap the benefits of being part of a larger group.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer with a cooperative

Volunteer with an existing cooperative and help them out with their mission. You can offer your skills or just lend a helping hand when needed.

ATTEND

Attend a cooperative event

Local cooperatives often host events to celebrate their successes or bring awareness to their cause. Attend one of these events and learn more about what cooperatives are doing in your area.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love International Day of Cooperatives

Cooperatives have higher job satisfaction rates

Because cooperatives are owned by the workers, staff members often feel more motivated to do good work because their efforts directly benefit themselves and their fellow employees. As such, surveys show that employees who work at cooperatives typically experience higher job satisfaction than those who work at traditional corporate structures.

Cooperatives promote worker autonomy

Cooperatives put the power of decision-making in the hands of the workers. This helps to create a sense of ownership, responsibility and empowerment among employees who are part of a cooperative. It also serves as an example of how companies can operate with democratic government models that benefit everyone involved.

Cooperatives build communities

Cooperatives often draw members from their local community, which helps to strengthen economic ties between businesses and the people they serve. Plus, cooperatives often look for ways to give back to their communities; whether it's providing employment opportunities or sponsoring local events, cooperatives help to promote greater social engagement and unity within local areas.