Welcome to the Co-operative College's International Development Programme website (www.internationaldevelopment.coop). The college and the wider UK co-operative movement have been involved in international work for many years. From the earliest days of the original UK co-operators (the Rochdale Pioneers) the co-operative vision has not simply been about retailing but also about how, through self-help, people can improve their working and living conditions. This model of democratic, practical self-help is relevant both in the UK and in poor communities in developing countries.

A growing number of national and international organizations are now in agreement that co-operatives are vitally important in the fight against global poverty. For example the United Nations estimates that the livelihood of over three billion people is made more secure by co-operatives.

The Department for International Development (DFID) has a Strategic Grant Agreement (SGA) with the Cooperative College and has funded this website. To find out more about the SGA, the aims of the website, international co-operation and the resources available to you through this site, please select a link from the table on your right.

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