The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) successfully hosted the first Youth Cooperative Research Conference to mark the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC 2025). Organized by NCUI’s Public Relations and Publications Division, the conference provided a platform for young scholars under the age of 40 to present papers on the theme “Cooperatives: Key for Achieving SDGs.”

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Sudhir Mahajan, Chief Executive of NCUI, in the presence of dignitaries like Prof. C. Pitchai (Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamil Nadu), and Mr. Ved Prakash Setia (Executive Director, NCUI). Dr. Mahajan emphasized the pivotal role of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), citing NCUI’s initiatives such as NCUI Haat, Coop Kitchen, and the NCUI Incubation Centre. He encouraged young researchers to focus on the practical applications of their findings to enhance cooperative impact.

Dr. Yashwant Dongre, Vice-Chancellor of Chanakya University and Chair of the ICA-AP Research Committee, in his inspirational keynote speech, underscored the need for research that not only addresses local challenges but also contributes to the global cooperative movement.

A stimulating panel discussion on “Cooperatives, Youth, and the SDGs” featured Prof. C. Pitchai, Mr. Sanjay Verma, Adviser, NCUI as key speakers and was moderated by Dr. Shrija Sinha from NCUI. The discussion delved into the importance of youth engagement in cooperatives and their role in advancing sustainable development.

The conference hosted four technical sessions featuring 16 research presentations. Selected case studies showcased interesting cooperative perspectives, including:

• SEWA’s Srujan Cooperative – Empowering Women Artisans
• VYBECOS Ponnurunni Model – An urban waste management cooperative
• Health Cooperatives – focusing on their role in advancing SDGs
• Cooperatives in India’s Gig and Platform Economy
• Use of Digital Platforms & AI in Cooperatives

Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Lead – Environment & Agriculture at ICA-AP presented a  paper exploring the potential of cooperatives in strengthening sustainable and inclusive digital economies. His study examined successful digital cooperative models and their applicability in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Gopal  emphasized the transformational potential of digital platforms in enabling cooperative growth, bridging gaps in financial inclusion, and strengthening supply chain sustainability. His presentation provided an approach to integrating technology and cooperative governance for long-term impact, particularly in the context of the gig and platform economy in India.

During the valedictory function, Mr. Santosh Shukla, General Manager of IFFCO was the Chief Guest. He highlighted the importance of youth participation in IYC 2025 and commended NCUI’s Coop Connect initiative for effectively engaging young people in cooperative enterprises.

The conference concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to research scholars, recognizing thei contributions to cooperative research. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, the first Youth Cooperative Research Conference set the stage for future academic collaborations and cooperative advancements.