The UN unveils 2025 International Year of Cooperatives logo

The International Cooperative Alliance is pleased to announce that the United Nations (UN) has released the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025) logo today. Organisations wishing to use it need to follow the instructions here. The IYC2025 theme Cooperatives Build a Better World, was announced on 19 June, and it showcases the enduring global impact cooperatives have everywhere. The theme puts a spotlight on how the cooperative model is an essential solution to overcome many global challenges, plays an important role to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The IYC2025 logo illustrates people around the world connecting with each other to build a better world. It consists of three colours inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals graphic identity, with red representing societyl, blue representing the economy, and green representing the environment. Together this represents the contributions cooperatives make towards sustainable development.

"We call to cooperators worldwide to share their pride for what cooperatives are doing to build a better world, and to take advantage of the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025. The release of the logo is another milestone for our journey to the official launch at our Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi," said Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Cooperative Alliance. “The logo represents the collective work of people-centered enterprises and the colors emphasize how cooperatives contribute to the 2030 agenda in their social, economic, and environmental dimensions.”

"The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is a time for both celebration and action," said Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). "Cooperatives embody a model of enterprise and community where inclusion, empowerment and societal resilience are just as valued as revenue and gain. Cooperatives have and will continue to be drivers of poverty eradication, women’s empowerment and social inclusion, while supporting full and productive employment and generating sustainable economic growth. Together, let's show the power of cooperation to create lasting transformative change."

The logo is now available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. The UN Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) is expecting to release a dedicated IYC2025 website in November. In the meantime, information and activities on IYC2025 can be found here on the ICA website. 

Application to use the IYC2025 logo

Any non-UN entity wishing to use the IYC2025 logo for information and/or fund-raising purposes must submit an application for approval  and a signed waiver of liability form. Please note that there is a one to two-week waiting period for approval. Applications are processed in the order in which they were received.

When the applications is approved and the signed waiver of liability is received, the IYC 2025 Secretariat will send the link to access the logo files to use for promotional materials and events organized to celebrate IYC2025. The branding guidelines of the logo are available here: http://www.copac.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IYC-2025-Visual_Identity_Guidelines.pdf 

Please send any questions via email to the IYC Secretariat at copac@copac.coop.

Join the official launch of the International Year of Cooperatives

The official launch of the IYC2025 will take place in New Delhi, India, during the ICA Global Cooperative Conference and General Assembly, scheduled for 25-30 November 2024 in the presence of global leaders seeking to inspire cooperators worldwide. This will be followed by a year-long celebration of cooperatives' impact on society, reflecting on achievements, and what actions come next to strengthen the cooperative movement and improve lives for everyone. The International Cooperative Alliance plans to:

• Increase the visibility of cooperatives and raise public awareness about their contributions to sustainable development.
• Promote the growth and development of cooperatives through capacity-building initiatives, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative partnerships. 
• Advocate for enabling environments and supportive legal and policy frameworks for strengthening their entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Inspire young people to join the movement and promote the impact cooperatives have on building a better world.

The United Nations General Assembly declared the first International Year of Cooperatives in 2012 and called to highlight the contributions of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. Cooperatives around the world celebrated this inaugural event under the theme Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. 

2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives theme

On 19 June 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution under the main sponsorship of Mongolia proclaiming 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives This text recommends ways to celebrate and encourages all Member States, the United Nations, and relevant stakeholders to leverage this year to promote and enhance cooperatives’ contribution to social and economic development. Among others, Member States are also invited to consider establishing national committees to coordinate and prepare for all IYC2025 activities at the national and local levels.