Philippines’ Celebration of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives

“Cooperatives Build a Better World”

For the second time in history, the United Nations has dedicated an international year to recognizing cooperatives worldwide. The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This highlights how the cooperative paradigm serves as an alternative solution to overcoming global challenges, particularly in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Cooperatives in the Philippines

The cooperative movement in the Philippines has a history spanning more than 120 years, with over 10,000 registered and compliant cooperatives in the country. These cooperatives collectively represent almost 10 percent of the population. Cooperatives in the Philippines are driven by the principles of self-help, self-responsibility, solidarity, empowerment, and equal participation, all with the aim of generating sustained growth and development for their members, communities, and the nation.

Cooperatives promote unity in diversity through participation and partnerships among different ethnic, social, and professional groups. In a more contemporary context, cooperatives also adapt to changing times and trends, expanding into capital- and technology-intensive enterprises.

In light of recent calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative sector in the Philippines has proven invaluable in assisting, helping, and providing relief and rehabilitation to their communities.

In Celebration of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives

On January 31, 2025, at Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Circle, the Philippine cooperative sector, together with the Cooperative Development Authority and the Local Government of Quezon City, Small Business, and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office, will launch the Philippines’ year-long celebration of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives. This event also recognizes Quezon City’s strong support for cooperatives and businesses, with the city striving to be a bastion of cooperativism in the country.

PCC @IYC2025 – Cooperative Agora: Honoring Foundations, Building Innovations

In its aim to venture into the road less traveled and remain competitive in this era of rapid socio-economic shifts, the Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) continues to evolve as a Real Estate and Property Development Cooperative. This initiative seeks to introduce new business models rooted in cooperative values and principles for the betterment of the sector.

PCC’s first project is the development and establishment of a new and modern PCC Building. Once completed, this facility aims to serve as “The Agora”—a hub for living and enterprise, a venue for sharing concepts and policies, and a space for cooperativism to thrive.