The ICA-Asia and Pacific Women’s Committee successfully conducted its second Training of Trainers (ToT) on Climate Change and Action for Women Cooperators from 7 to 10 July 2025 in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Organised in collaboration with the INKUR Federation and the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), Philippines, the training focused on building women’s leadership capacity in addressing the impacts of climate change through cooperative action.

Indonesia, as the host country, offered a compelling context for the training. With its forests significantly affected by deforestation linked to palm oil production, and communities facing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, flash floods, and other climate-related disruptions, the urgency for action was evident. The opening ceremony featured remarks from Mr. Mikael, Chairman of INKUR Federation, Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director of ICA-AP, and Ms. Chitose Arai, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee, who joined the proceedings via an online message.

The sessions were led by two experienced trainers from NATCCO—Ms. Daisybelle Cabal, former Chief Operating Officer, and Ms. Lasalette Gumban, Head of the Advocacy Unit—and supported by Committee Secretary Ms. Simren Singh. Over the course of four days, the training explored the linkages between climate change and cooperative responsibility, promoted environmental sustainability, and helped women leaders develop practical action plans for their cooperatives and communities.

Twenty-five women representing primary cooperatives and credit unions participated in the training. While many shared that they had experienced the visible effects of climate change in their communities, they also acknowledged gaps in understanding its scientific causes. The sessions helped deepen their knowledge on greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and mitigation strategies, while also drawing attention to grassroots efforts already underway, such as tree plantation drives and cleanliness initiatives. Participants expressed a strong desire to build their capacities further and to act as peer educators in their local networks.

A special session featured two alumni from the first training held in Bhutan in October 2024—Ms. Sonam Yuden and Ms. Tshering Deki from the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC), Bhutan. They shared their post-training experiences, including awareness-raising sessions and the creation of a compost pit at the National Post Harvest Center using government support. Ms. Tshering also expressed her intention to organise community training programmes in the future.

In a cross-country learning exchange, the MSU–IIT National Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MSU-IIT NMPC) from the Philippines presented the green practices embedded in their operations. Among these, their initiative to integrate a “6th C of Credit” focusing on climate change stood out. MSU-IIT NMPC is also a recipient of the Gold Green Co-op Award from NATCCO, underlining their leadership in cooperative sustainability.

The training concluded on a hopeful and action-oriented note. Participants committed to developing localised climate action plans for their cooperatives, and certificates of participation were awarded. The closing ceremony featured remarks from Ms. Priti Patel, Vice-Chairperson of the Women’s Committee, delivered virtually, and a vote of thanks by Ms. Angela Januarti, member of the Women’s Committee in Indonesia.

The initiative once again reaffirmed the growing commitment of women cooperators to champion environmental sustainability, grounded in knowledge-sharing, peer learning, and cooperative values.