Co-operatives build a better world.

2025 is a very special year for Co-operatives all over the world.  The United Nations has officially recognised this year as the International Year of Co-operatives.

During the UN International Year of Co-operatives 2025  over 3 million Co-ops around the world will celebrate the incredible, positive impact they have on the world’s economies, culture, sustainability and communities. Employing over 280 million people and owned by more than 1.2 billion Members, the democratic economy is thriving and demonstrates resilience across all sectors for the benefit of global communities.

The UK government’s pledge to double the size of the co-operative sector is a clear indication of the positive impact they have on the economy. Throughout our year-long celebrations, we’ll focus on how co-operatives contribute towards reducing poverty, economic resilience, climate change and inclusivity around the world.

As well as examples from our wider co-operative family, we’ll share details  of how we’re demonstrating the unique potential for a Member-owned business to make a meaningful difference.   Join us as we celebrate significant developments that position the co-operative movement as an influential force for cohesive growth and development.

Throughout the year, using the official  theme ‘Co-operatives build a better world’, we’ll share our progress against the UN’s global sustainability goals including;   

-Our Malawi Partnership (supporting farmers and producers through trading development)– Goal 1 No Poverty
-Olio (mobile sharing APP)- Goal 2 No Hunger
-Green energy self-sufficiency – Goal 7 Clean Energy
-Inclusion networks (creating safe spaces where colleagues can share experiences and bring about positive change)– Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities
-Fund for International Co-operative Development (see more below)  - Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals

A great example of how co-ops are responding to today's global challenges is the launch of the new Fund for International Co-operative Development, the first of its kind, which was created to support communities worldwide in rebuilding after crises, and fostering peace.

Developed through collaboration between leading UK co-operatives including Central Co-op, the fund reflects the power of co-operation to drive global change.

This new fund will provide financial support and expertise to co-operatives globally, helping communities rebuild after crises, foster peace, and create sustainable economies.

From responding to humanitarian crises to creating long-term, inclusive economies, the FICD reflects the principles of the Rochdale Pioneers and their legacy of working together to create opportunities for all.

The fund will focus on three key areas:

1. Crisis Response: Delivering immediate humanitarian assistance to areas affected by conflict and natural disasters, administered through co-operatives, and co-operative infrastructure organisations.
2. Medium-Term Rebuilding: Strengthening and developing co-operatives in post-crisis recovery.
3. Long-Term Mutual Aid: Promoting social justice by building resilient and inclusive economies through Co-op to Co-op trade,  supporting the development of primary and secondary co-operatives and strengthening co-operative networks and partnerships.

More about the Fund For International Co-operative Development can be found here.

In the coming months we'll tell you about career development opportunities, our Green Energy Self-sufficiency journey, how our tree planting promise is making a difference in Malawi and much more.

You'll also have the opportunity to discover more and get involved in a programme of activities happening across our trading area where you can show your support for Co-operatrives and help to build a better world.

Our UN Year Activity programme includes:

• Development of educational resources to highlight UN goals and alignment to Society activity​
• Joint event with Co-operative Group in Cambridge in partnership with Community Activator-Co-op Marketplace bring co-ops together.​
• Co-op Marketplace & What is a Coop? workshop in Norwich.​
• Digital story book showcasing Co-op heritage in Lowestoft and Loddon​
• Co-operative heritage visits to showcase Co-op sites – Rochdale Pioneers, New Lanark, Suma etc​.
• Activity planned to promote IYC 2025 with supported schools​
• Celebration event with Black Country Living Museum to celebrate Co-op heritage​
• Joint Co-op event with Consumer Co-ops in the West Midlands​
• 'Get to Know your Co-op' events in the Western region at ten Central Co-op stores​
• Product showcase to focus on Olio partnership, Our Malawi Partnership and Fairtrade at Lichfield Food Festival - 24 Aug​
• Bike visit to every Society store and Funeral home in the West Midlands – Charity events to raise funds for Samaritans ​
• Volunteering sessions in July at Coalville
• Young People’s Radio Station to capture Intergenerational memories/meaning of Co-operation​
• Skills based Member Groups/Courses in the southern region to depict what Co-operation means to them - Oil Painting supported by tutor.​
• School Resources on UN Goal 5.
• Rochdale Pioneers visit for new MCC members​
• and much more!

Welcome to the UN International Year of Co-operatives!

 Creating a sustainable Society for all.

Central Co-op is a successful, independent, community-based cooperative business owned by our Members. We’re a modern, forward-looking business, employing around 6,400 people and operating more than 450 trading outlets across 22 counties.

Our main business activities are Food Retail, Petrol Filling Stations, Funeral Services and property investment. We’re proud of our heritage, which dates back almost 180 years, and have grown to become one of the largest and most successful co-operatives in the UK.

Our colleagues are our Difference Makers and are at the heart of our business making a positive difference every day in the communities they serve.

We have a purpose beyond profit that benefits our Members and local communities.

We act co-operatively to meet the common needs of our Members, sharing ownership and making decisions democratically.

We’re working together to create a sustainable Society for all, with financial, environmental and human sustainability central to our strategy. We’re guided by our co-operative values and principles to achieve sustainable business success.

About co-operatives

A co-operative is an organisation owned and run by its members. The members, who could be workers, customers or suppliers, enjoy an equal say in how the business is run and share profits fairly.

A co-operative exists to benefit its members and the wider community, rather than simply to make profits for external shareholders.

It is 180 years since the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers, recognised as the world's first successful consumer retail co-operative, came into existence. The society's founding principles of 1844 became the blueprint for modern co-operatives around the world.

There are seven co-operative principles that define how a co-op operates:

1. A co-op is owned and controlled by its members. It exists for the benefit of its members, who may be customers, workers, suppliers or the wider community.
2. A co-op is democratic – this means every member has an equal say in how it’s run and how profits are used.
3. Every member contributes financially in some way – from buying products, working for the co-op, investing in it or deciding how to spend its profits.  
4. A co-op is an independent business, owned and controlled by its members.
5. It offers education and training to everyone involved, so they can develop the co-op and promote the benefits of co-operation.
6. It co-operates, works with and supports other co-ops.
7. A co-op supports the communities it works with.

Co-operative values

There are 10 values that all co-ops are based on.

1.      Caring for others
2.      Democracy
3.      Equity
4.      Equality
5.      Honesty
6.      Openness
7.      Self help
8.      Self responsibility
9.      Solidarity
10.  Social responsibility