On 18 November 2024, under ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement 2 (FFPA 2), ICA-AP organized a virtual capacity-building training on ‘Cooperative Governance, Challenges, and Solutions’ as a part of the broader theme – Empowered Leadership, Thriving Cooperatives: Strengthening Governance for Better Tomorrow.
The program is designed to empower cooperative leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively address the complex challenges of today’s dynamic world. The training focused on two core objectives: Strengthening Cooperative Governance: Providing participants with an in-depth understanding of governance principles and practices to foster transparency, accountability, and democratic decision-making within their organizations and Promoting Sustainable and Ethical Practices: Encouraging the adoption of governance structures that prioritize sustainable business models, ethical practices, and community-driven approaches to ensure a lasting positive impact on members and society.
The training was conducted by Access Livelihoods, an AIM-NITI Aayog-recognized Established Incubation Center (EIC) and recipient of the National Startup Award for Best Incubator in India. The two-and-a-half-hour session focused on key areas, including principles of cooperative governance (John Carver’s Policy Governance Principles), unique characteristics of cooperatives, governance structures, common governance challenges and their solutions, and the future direction of cooperatives. The interactive session used case studies and videos to facilitate engaging discussions and practical learning. A total of 21 participants representing 18 member organizations actively participated in the program, enhancing their understanding of cooperative governance and its application to real-world scenarios.
This training is part of an ongoing series of governance sessions planned over the coming months, with the next sessions scheduled for December 2024 and February 2025. The upcoming training, focused on "Principles of Good Governance," is set to take place on 16 December 2024. This session will be facilitated by the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM) from Australia, bringing valuable insights and expertise to participants.
