This Week's Guest:


Cooperative Training Opportunities and Resources

Discover cooperative education and professional development opportunities designed to empower and connect. This list of trainings, conferences, and resources—compiled by our friends at the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF)—offers the skills and insights needed to thrive in the cooperative movement. Start your journey today and join a community dedicated to building a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Co-op Research and Academic Associations
  • ICA Committee on Co-operative Research (CCR)ccr.ica.coop. A bridge between academic research and the cooperative world, the International Co-operative Alliance’s CCR organizes research conferences at global and regional levels, including the Young Scholars Programme, and offers a host of cooperative research references.
  • University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC)uwcc.wisc.edu. Brings a public-service orientation and world-class university resources to diverse business communities. UWCC supports all forms of cooperative business through startup assistance, a resource library, and research.
  • See also Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE) below.
  • University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC)uwcc.wisc.edu. Brings a public-service orientation and world-class university resources to diverse business communities. UWCC supports all forms of cooperative business through startup assistance, a resource library, and research.
Co-op System Associations
  • International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s Universitysmu.ca/iccm. The Centre is a global leader in education, research, and outreach to elevate the cooperative economy and community. Subscribe to the Centre’s newsletter for program offerings, research, publications, and news.
  • CooperationWorks!cooperationworks.coop. A national network of cooperative development centers and practitioners offering expertise across cooperative development including feasibility analysis, business plan development, training, and education.
  • National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) CLUSAncbaclusa.coop. The primary voice in the U.S. for cooperatives, NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector support, advocacy, and international development to build resilient communities and strengthen cooperatives.
  • North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO)nasco.coop. NASCO organizes and educates group equity co-ops and their members, hosting the Cooperative Education & Training Institute to network with cooperative leaders and build an inclusive movement.
  • National Co+op Grocers (NCG)ncg.coop. A cooperative of co-ops, NCG represents 149 food co-ops in 38 states, optimizing operational resources, strengthening purchasing power, and enhancing value for co-op owners and shoppers.
  • US Federation of Worker Co-ops (USFWC)usworker.coop. The national advocacy group for worker cooperatives, representing over 300 organizations and 10,000 workers, advancing worker-owned workplaces through education, advocacy, and development.
  • International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)ica.coop. Founded in 1895, ICA unites, represents, and serves cooperatives worldwide, providing a global voice and coordinated action for more than 1 billion cooperative members.
  • Association of Cooperative Educators (ACE)ace.coop. Unites cooperative educators, researchers, developers, and practitioners across North America to share best practices, promote research, and provide resources on cooperative education.
  • Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA)communicators.coop. Convenes cooperative communications professionals to improve effectiveness, advance standards, and share research, techniques, and opinions.
Continuing Education and Co-op Academies/Fellowships
  • Professional Programs
    • International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary’s – Masters, graduate diploma, and certificate courses in Cooperative and Credit Union Management.
    • CooperationWorks! Art and Science of Cooperative Development – A rigorous three-part course for developing skills to start and assist new cooperatives.
    • Round Sky Solutions Cooperative Leadership Certificate Program – Gain cooperative leadership tactics and tools.
  • Academies
    • Cooperative development centers frequently offer co-op academies.
  • Fellowships
    • Cooperative Leaders and Scholars – 8-month program with multi-sector programming designed to deepen and broaden cooperative knowledge.
Additional Resources
  • Association of Cooperative Educators – 50+ resource libraries. ed.coop
  • Canadian Co-operative Research Network – 1800+ items in an online library. ccrnrcrc.wordpress.com
  • Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation – Multidisciplinary network of researchers and practitioners. coopresearch.coop
  • Democracy at Work Institute – The think-and-do-tank for worker co-ops. institute.coop
  • Grassroots Economic Organizing – Worker co-ops and solidarity economy. geo.coop
  • USDA Rural Development – Publications for agricultural co-ops. rd.usda.gov
Conferences
  • Accounting
    • Tax, Finance & Accounting Conference for Cooperatives
  • Agriculture
    • College Conference on Cooperatives
    • Co-op Econ
    • National Farmers Union National Women’s Conference
    • UWCC Farmer Cooperatives Conference
    • National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Conference
  • Cross Sector
    • ACE Institute
    • Co-op IMPACT Conference
    • Cooperative Communicators Association Institute
    • Sociocracy in Cooperatives Conference
    • National Conference on Black Cooperative Agenda
  • Finance
    • CUNA GAC
  • Housing
    • NASCO Cooperative Education and Training Institute
    • National Low Income Housing Conference
    • National Association of Housing Cooperatives Conference
  • International
    • Global Innovation Co-op Summit
  • Law
    • Biennial Cooperative Law Conference
  • Natural Foods
    • Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) Conference
    • Up & Coming Food Co-op Conference
  • Worker
    • National Home Care Cooperative Conference
    • Worker Co-op Conference
Grants, Scholarships, and Advisory Opportunities
  • Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) – Makes grants and loans to foster cooperative development domestically and abroad, providing disaster recovery grants, training scholarships, and funding for cooperative research and education. cdf.coop
  • Ralph K Morris Foundation – Provides development opportunities for emerging leaders interested in cooperation, farmland preservation, land stewardship, and sustainability. ralphkmorrisfoundation.org