The action of a group with a shared objective is more potent than that of an individual. That’s why businesses often come together with others in their industry to meet common goals, forming national cooperatives. A cooperative can have many goals, from promoting gender equality and sustainability to leveraging collective bargaining power and reinvesting in local communities.
Whatever their mission, national cooperatives must form international partnerships to scale their impact on the global stage. These partnerships help address inequality and poverty and help create sustainable development in partner countries.
What Are National Cooperatives?
A national cooperative is characterized by being member-owned, democratic in its decision-making, and representative of a single industry nationally through its collection of member businesses or individuals.
Cooperative structures can differ depending on their size and purpose, but every cooperative foundation has membership and democratic processes. Members hold meetings where they participate and exercise their votes on important issues. From these meetings, members can elect a board of directors, trusting them to oversee the direction and operations of the cooperative. The board of directors can also appoint a management team for day-to-day operations.
The point of these cooperatives is to fill the economic, social and cultural needs of an industry. They exist in many sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Finance
- Real estate
- Health care
- Retail
- Utilities
The Role of International Partnerships in Cooperatives
By creating international partnerships, cooperatives can easily access global markets and expand their networking capabilities to reach new partners and buyers.
International partnerships create economic growth and sustainability through cooperatives working together and exchanging knowledge. For example, partners can study each other’s successes or failures, share access to cutting-edge technology and research, and collaborate to create standard operating procedures in multiple contexts.
These partnerships are about strengthening the industry, ensuring it can adapt to a changing global landscape and continue to thrive in the future. For that reason, sustainability practices are integral. By sharing these practices, cooperatives can help keep their industries economically viable and sustainable in a changing global landscape.
Key Benefits of Cooperatives Engaging Globally
International cooperative partnerships are key to creating collaborative global initiatives that help social and economic development — and create cultural learning opportunities. Other benefits include:
- Sustainable practice sharing.
- Economic empowerment of marginalized communities.
- Expanded funding resources and access to international markets.
- Strengthening against global challenges, like climate change and economic crises.
Challenges Faced by Cooperatives in Global Partnerships
While global partnerships offer substantial benefits, cooperatives must overcome a few challenges to bring them to fruition. Regulatory differences can be an initial obstacle. Learning how to navigate a cultural divide, whether because of language or differing practices, can also be a challenge. However, with time and effort, partners can tear down these barriers.
Financial restrictions and resource constraints, such as personnel capacity limits and access to new technology, can impact a partner organization’s effectiveness in researching, implementing new ideas, or investing in training and infrastructure. Still, with clear communication and a basis of transparency and honesty in collaboration, partners can work together toward mutually beneficial goals.
The Future of International Cooperative Partnerships
The future of international cooperative partnerships looks bright. With digital tools for communication and data gathering becoming more accessible, it will become easier to spur global development through cooperatives. Tools such as cloud-based data storage, video conferencing platforms and project management software facilitate data sharing and enable regular virtual meetings to align goals and workflows continuously. The breadth and depth of knowledge the internet allows people to access is a boon for all future global cooperative partnerships.
The proliferation of affordable smartphones is another huge advantage to international cooperative partnerships. Smartphones allow stakeholders convenient access to shared critical data while in the field. They also accommodate many apps organizations can use to improve operational capabilities, like monitoring supply chain movements on the go.
Access is critical to sharing knowledge, and smartphones create equity for partners with limited resources and space. This access is also vital for partner communities that may not ordinarily have the time or transportation to meetings that support cooperative knowledge-sharing practices. Now, people can use their devices to study and stay up to date with best practices and the latest cooperative news.
Fortunately, the vast array of digital tools available today makes communication and global work viable. There is a growing need for cross-border partnerships because of global challenges that affect everybody, like climate change and pandemics. Strengthening global cooperative alliances is key to preparing for whatever comes next.
How You Can Contribute to International Cooperative Alliances
Through international partnerships, national cooperatives can create a lasting impact on their industry — and the world. They can create sustainable cooperative models that drive development in communities across the globe. By creating international networks, cooperatives can also scale up their operations and become more competitive and resilient to hardships.
It’s in the best interest of all world citizens to support cooperative relationships. Governments, organizations and individuals should help cooperative models as they strengthen global bonds and promote sustainability, social equity and knowledge sharing. Learn more about how you can get involved today.
