The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and the Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-
The partnership will focus on PortailCoop, a digital knowledge platform developed and managed by IICADD, which currently hosts more than 37,000 resources in 36 languages, covering over 150 years of cooperative history and contributions from 84 countries.
The platform brings together material from more than 4,100 organisations, including over 10,000 institutional reports, 500-plus practical tools and around 900 audio and video resources. Registration is free and open to everyone.
Under the MoU, IICADD and ICA, including its Committee on Cooperative Research (ICA CCR), will encourage researchers, educators, cooperative practitioners and organisations to contribute publications, research and other knowledge resources to the platform. The initiative also seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and practical experience within the global cooperative movement.
The collaboration aligns with ICA’s 2026–2030 strategy, titled ‘Practice, Promote, and Protect’, which places particular emphasis on data, research and evidence-based decision-making to strengthen the movement’s global visibility and influence.
Welcoming the initiative, Cynthia Giagnocavo, Global Chair of ICA’s Committee on Cooperative Research, said sound research was essential for building a strong cooperative knowledge base and strengthening cooperative education and management.
Inmaculada Buendia Martinez, Director of PortailCoop, said the partnership would broaden access to cooperative knowledge and encourage greater exchange of experiences and research across countries and sectors.
Both organisations have invited cooperative institutions, researchers and educators worldwide to contribute resources, making PortailCoop a stronger global repository of cooperative knowledge.
