Thirty years since the last update, the International Cooperative Alliance is again updating the Cooperative Principles to keep pace with changes in the world situation, and all cooperators are invited to participate and give their opinions or inputs.

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is currently conducting consultations with the worldwide cooperative sector on the amendments to the Cooperative Values and Principles.

The ICA has posted the draft of the amended list of Cooperative Principles in its website, which serves as an open invitation for all cooperators to give comments.

Discussion Draft 2 is based on the discussions at the November 2024 ICA General Assembly in New Delhi.  Deadline set for suggestions or inputs is October 31, 2025 through email consultations@ica.coop. 

The cooperative values and principles trace their roots to the mid-19th century, particularly the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, founded in England in 1844. The Rochdale Pioneers, a group of working-class weavers and artisans, developed a set of practical rules to guide their consumer cooperative. These rules emphasized democratic control, open membership, equitable contribution, and the fair distribution of surplus. Their approach proved so successful that it became a model for cooperatives worldwide. Over time, these rules evolved into guiding principles, linking back to values such as self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity, along with the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

The first official articulation of the Principles came in 1937, when the ICA adopted the Rochdale Principles. They were revised in 1966 to reflect the changing economic and social context, and again in 1995, on the ICA’s centenary, to ensure their continued relevance in a globalizing world. This 1995 statement—known as the Statement on the Cooperative Identity—remains the definitive articulation of cooperative values and principles today, providing a universal framework that unites cooperatives across cultures, sectors, and regions, while guiding their role in advancing economic democracy and social progress.

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), founded in 1895 in London, is the global organization representing cooperatives across all sectors. It promotes the cooperative identity, values, and principles, uniting more than 1 billion members in over 100 countries. Recognized by the UN and ILO, the ICA advocates for cooperatives as key actors in sustainable development, inclusive economies, and social justice.

Draft 2 of the discussions, amendments and inputs may be accessed through this link: 

https://ica-identity.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pdf/drafts/Revised+ICA+Statement+on+the+Cooperative+Identity+-+Discussion+Draft+2+Commentary+-+17+Jun+2025+EN.pdf