The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC) launch a joint online data platform displaying international development projects run by Cooperative Development Organisations (CDOs) across the world.
The Mapping International Cooperative Development Programs (MICDP) platform proves the great impact of CDOs at local and global scales. Whereas CDOs’ scope is international, their activities and partners are deep-rooted in the local communities to serve members and improve the livelihoods of entire communities.
Conceived as a user-friendly interactive tool for international development actors, cooperatives, international institutions, donors, and decision-makers, the MICDP portal presents comprehensive and extensive data of over 400 international cooperative development programs from 30 CDOs currently operating in 70 countries. The user will navigate through an interactive map and search engine to explore CDOs’ projects. Key information will be displayed, ranging from objectives, partners, type of activity and lead organization to the targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
International collaboration and networking among CDOs will be fostered through data and knowledge sharing. This collected data will support strategic decisions to enhance leadership of cooperatives in sustainable development and raise the profile of CDOs vis-à-vis donors, international institutions, decision makers, partners, civil society, and other development stakeholders.
The MICDP portal will be a valuable tool to increase visibility of the puissant CDOs’ programs on the field. It is through these locally implemented programs that CDOs are transforming the fabric of local communities towards increased economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Paul Hazen, OCDC Executive Director said, “This platform is the first of its kind that will bring recognition to the work of all cooperative development organizations and provide a place for anyone to see the impact of cooperatives in sustainable development. We encourage interaction and networking within the CDOs on this site and with those key stakeholders as they leverage the expertise of our members. This is a wonderful partnership between OCDC and ICA which benefits the larger cooperative community.”
Bruno Roelants, ICA Director General highlighted the importance of the MICDP online portal “to assess the impact of cooperative development organisations’ programs at country and global levels. It compiles critical information and knowledge that will support data-driven strategies focused on cooperative development. This platform is also the result of a fruitful partnership between our longstanding member OCDC and ICA, that we hope will be the seed of increased collaboration among our members and key partners active in sustainable development to keep enhancing the role of cooperatives in coping with current global and local challenges.”
What are CDOs?
They are cooperatives and cooperative support organizations that provide funds and/or implement development projects outside their home countries. The CDOs displayed in the global map include members of the ICA Development Platform (ICADP) as well as the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council members.
Photos: Projects by SOCODEVI, DID and Coopermondo.
