On 27 February, under the ICA-EU Financial Framework Partnership Agreement 2 (FFPA 2), ICA-AP organized a virtual capacity building training on ‘Cooperative Leadership for Social Impact’ as part of the broader theme – ‘Empowered Leadership, Thriving Cooperatives: Strengthening Governance for Better Tomorrow’ aiming to equip cooperative leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex challenges of the modern world.

The core objectives of the training were to 1) Present the leadership skills that create social impact by identifying key leadership skills necessary for driving social change and promoting cooperative values and principles amid the BANI world; 2) Present ways to develop a culture of excellence, innovation, empathy and inclusivity; 3) Create actionable plans for leadership development by developing personalized plans for enhancing leadership capabilities within participants’ respective cooperatives, focusing on continuous improvement and capacity building.

The training was facilitated in partnership with the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), the biggest federation of coops in the Philippines in terms of geographical reach, membership, financial capacity, and array of services. The training session began with greetings and introductions led by Ms. Monalisa Kashyap, Program Coordinator. She set the context by mentioning the completion of the previous two trainings in November and December 2024 and introduced the theme of this final training. Ms. Daisybelle Cabal, COO of NATCCO, warmly welcomed all participants. The session explored how cooperative leaders can drive meaningful impact while balancing economic and social goals. It also addressed how they can uphold and embody the cooperative identity in a highly competitive landscape. Additionally, the discussion focused on the essential skills needed to lead with purpose, create a lasting legacy of excellence, and demonstrate servant leadership. Participants from various countries, including Bhutan, Jordan, Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, took part in the training program.

Mr. Mimo, Ms. Aubrey, and Ms. Lasalette facilitated an engaging discussion using a series of warm-up questions. Later, they discussed the concept of the BANI Framework, the leadership qualities needed to be cultivated in the BANI world, leadership skills for social impact, and building a culture of excellence, innovation, empathy, and inclusivity. After the session, a leadership development action plan template was presented and discussed with participants. They were then asked to complete and submit the document as a post-training assignment.