International Day of Cooperatives 2026
July 4, 2026 in the World
The International Day of Cooperatives will be observed on July 04, 2026. It was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 to take place in 1995 only. At the end of 1994, it was decided then, that it should be celebrated annually from 1995 on. The date varies each year, as they day is observed on the first Saturday of July.
The purpose of the day is to highlight the contributions of cooperative enterprises to social and economic development. Cooperatives are member-owned organizations that operate based on principles of democratic governance, solidarity and sustainability.
The International Day of Cooperatives promotes awareness of how cooperatives help reduce inequality, support decent work and strengthen local economies. The United Nations encourages support for cooperative models as a means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.