What is the ICA?
ICA is an independent, non-governmental association which unites, represents and
serves co-operatives worldwide. Founded in 1895, ICA has 218 member organizations
from 87 countries that are active in all sectors of the economy. Together these co-operatives
represent more than 800 million individuals worldwide. It is the largest non-governmental
organizations in the world.
ICA members are national and international co-operative organizations in all sectors
of activity including agriculture, banking, fisheries, health, housing, industry,
insurance, tourism and consumer co-operatives. Currently, ICA has 225 member organizations
from 87 countries, representing more than 800 million individuals worldwide.
What does ICA do?
ICA's priorities and activities centre on promoting and defending the Co-operative Identity, ensuring that co-operative enterprise is a recognized form of enterprise that is able to compete in the marketplace.
- ICA raises awareness about co-operatives. It helps individuals, government authorities and regional and international institutions understand the co-operative model of enterprise. ICA is the voice of the co-operative movement.
- ICA ensures that the right policy environment exists to enable co-operatives to grow and prosper. It helps its members in their lobbying for new legislation and more appropriate administrative procedures that respect the co-operative model, its principles and values. It provides political support as well as technical expertise to enable co-operatives to compete on a level playing field.
- ICA provides its members with key information, best practice and contacts. Through its publications it ensures the sharing of information. It organizes meetings and workshops to address key issues affecting co-operatives and allows discussion among co-operators from around the world. ICA facilitates contacts between co-operatives for trading purposes and intelligence sharing in a wide range of areas
- ICA provides technical assistance to co-operatives through its development programme. ICA promotes capacity-building and financial support, it facilitates job creation and supports poverty reduction and microfinance programmes around the world.