ICD
International co-operative development was a key part of the Co-operative College’s work for over 100 years. From the very early days of welcoming students from around the world to the UK, to facilitating projects across several different continents right up until 2025.
With a strong focus on research and practice, the College led the way on developing an understanding of how co-operatives could improve people’s lives, creating sustainable, fair and equitable communities.
In addition to direct facilitation of international co-operative development, a key focus of the College’s Head of International Partnerships through their work as part of the International Co-operative Working Group, was to build networks and lay the groundwork for the first dedicated, co-operative, democratic solidarity fund. In December 2024, the Fund for International Cooperative Development (FICD) was launched and is now the global co-operative movement’s shared financial solidarity tool.