In proclaiming 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives, the United Nations and cooperatives worldwide are lifting up the tremendous social and economic achievements and potential of these democratic, community-based associations. In the US, the campaign is being led by National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) CLUSA, our apex trade association and an international development organization.

In early January, Doug O’Brien, CEO of NCBA CLUSA, issued a summary of several campaign events in 2025 and a call for cooperators to take advantage of this year’s opportunities, describing cooperatives as “a community-driven, time-tested and shovel-ready solution to tackle many of today’s biggest challenges.”

Before mentioning 2024 highlights and some of the 2025 campaign plans, O’Brien reminded his audience of cooperative achievements and potential: for example, US credit unions now have over 140 million members; and, thanks to electric cooperatives, during the 1930s the percent of rural homes with electricity rose from 10 to 90. “Many Americans—particularly those left behind by a shifting economy and facing the greatest economic and societal barriers—are finding it increasingly difficult to capture opportunities in the face of big businesses that advantage outside investors. Communities and policymakers need to look to co-ops as a solution with the potential of scale and ownership so that all people can compete and are included in today’s economy.”

Last year, NCBA maintained its efforts to preserve appropriations for key federal programs that advance cooperative businesses. They worked with DotCoop to ensure that a new cooperative world map was launched in partnership with co-op membership associations, guaranteeing accurate and continuously updated data. And 400+ people attended the first-ever bilingual, sold-out Cooperative IMPACT Conference.

Under public awareness goals, in February NCBA CLUSA will release its “Co-op Impact Report,” a comprehensive review of multiple cooperative sectors. Elevating highlights from the Report, a “Year of Cooperatives Toolkit” will be available in May and will offer graphics and media guides to help place local co-ops in their global context.

Under the goal of inspiring next-generation cooperators, NCBA CLUSA will again support its “Cooperative Leaders and Scholars” cohort, and also will work with the International Cooperative Alliance’s Youth Network.

For the 2025: International Year of Cooperatives campaign, O’Brien described goals in three areas: co-op advocacy, public awareness, and inspiring next-generation cooperators.

Under advocacy goals, NCBA CLUSA will work to protect fair tax treatment for cooperatives; seek more SBA support for co-op conversions; preserve key investments for cooperatives in multiple fields; and empower locally led cooperative development around the world. On January 23 and 30, online discussions will flesh out these efforts; registration details will be released soon.