The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has begun global preparations for the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives (#CoopsDay), with cooperative members from across the world joining a special ICA Members’ Chat to discuss ways to promote this year’s theme, “Cooperatives for a Peaceful World.”
According to the ICA, the discussion focused on how cooperatives can showcase their role in promoting peace, inclusion, dialogue and social cohesion within communities. Participants exchanged ideas on organising local campaigns and engaging schools, governments, NGOs, policymakers and community organisations in CoopsDay celebrations.
The ICA announced that it will officially release the 2026 CoopsDay communications materials on June 4, exactly one month before the global observance. The materials will include a media kit, ready-to-use social media content, visual and promotional assets, and communication guidance for members and partners. These resources will be shared through ICA’s social media platforms, official website and the dedicated CoopsDay portal, coopsday.coop.
Members were encouraged to actively participate in the global campaign by sharing stories, activities, photos and videos highlighting how cooperatives contribute to peaceful and resilient societies. The ICA also offered support for logo adaptations and multilingual campaign materials to help cooperatives expand outreach in local languages.
The discussion additionally highlighted the upcoming policy brief titled *SDG 16: Cooperatives as Agents of Positive Peace*, which will also be released on June 4. The document is expected to underline how cooperatives contribute to peace-building, inclusion and sustainable development.
Participants also linked this year’s CoopsDay theme to broader discussions leading up to #ICAPanama2026 in September, where cooperative leaders worldwide will gather under the theme “Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World.”
