Global Cooperative Impact (GCI) Fund

Abstract

The project initiated by International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and Cre?dit Coope?ratif (a cooperative bank) welcome other funding and technical assistance (TA) partners. Cooperatives are businesses owned and run by and for their members. The members have an equal say in what the business does and how to share the profits. As businesses driven by values not just profit, cooperatives share internationally agreed principles and act together to build a better world through cooperation. The GCI is part of the Blueprint Strategy for a Cooperative Decade launched in 2012 by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) to define an ambitious and global strategy for cooperatives because there is an urgent need for cooperatives to find socially constructive and stable funding. The International Cooperative Alliance and Crédit Cooperative wish to bring a sound solution to this lack of funding and support the development of cooperatives in developing countries by providing them long-term financing while improving the cooperative spirit. The GCI Fund will support the development of cooperatives in developing countries by providing them long-term financing. In collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the Fund selected a number of focus countries to invest in priority. Based on the on-field expertise on the continents of Africa, Asia and Latin America, ICA representatives provided the Fund with countries where the cooperative movement has a strong presence (in terms of institutional support, legal framework, governance and other important parameters) and needs support for further development. It will build management and long-term capacity via dedicated technical assistance, particularly in governance, financial management, business planning and impact measurement; establish cooperatives as an investment class like microfinance has now become and create a financial market for cooperatives, demonstrate the impact of the cooperative models for the final beneficiaries and members, and contribute to more inclusive development.