International Year of Cooperatives
About the United Nation’s International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (IYC2025)
The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This global initiative highlights the vital role cooperatives play in driving sustainable development, creating decent work opportunities, and strengthening economies.
Objectives of the IYC2025
The International Year of Cooperatives 2025 sheds light on the global impact and potential of cooperatives while encouraging support from governments, businesses, and civil society. It showcases successful cooperative models, drives policy discussions, and promotes practices that foster cooperative growth and sustainability.
Global Impact of Cooperatives
There are approximately 3 million cooperatives worldwide, representing at least 1.2 billion members. These cooperatives span diverse sectors, including agriculture, banking, consumer, energy, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and industry & services.
Global Snapshot of Housing Cooperatives
Determining the exact number of housing cooperatives and their members globally is challenging due to variations in reporting and definitions across countries. However, housing cooperatives exist on all continents in various formats, including resident-owned and rental models. Visit our page on the various cooperative housing models.
For instance, in Germany, over 2,000 housing cooperatives are managing more than two million apartments and serving over three million members. (source). In the United States, Co-op City in the Bronx, New York, is home to more than 15,000 families in 35 buildings, making it the largest housing cooperative in the world.
Globally, cooperatives across all sectors have a significant presence, with about 3 million cooperatives varying by sector and type, and about 12% of the human population are members of a cooperative. However, specific global statistics for housing cooperatives alone are not readily available.
How Housing Cooperatives Build a Better World
Housing cooperatives put people before profit, ensuring secure, affordable homes for their members. They create stable, resilient communities by promoting long-term sustainability and responsible growth. Through shared ownership and participation, coops empower residents with a voice in decision-making and a stake in their community’s success.
By working together, housing cooperatives tackle challenges like affordability, economic security, and environmental sustainability, building stronger communities.
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Member Activities
Take a look at what our member, the Confederation of Co-operative Housing has planned for #IYC2025.
Best Practices
Call for Best Practices
As we celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 (#IYC25), Cooperative Housing International and urbaMonde join hands to showcase the most innovative, impactful, and inspiring practices in housing cooperatives from around the world!
Do you have a creative energy-efficient design, an innovative financial model, or a groundbreaking community initiative? Whether you’re a cooperative member, architect, staff, researcher, or student, we want to hear from you!
Share your ideas with us! Send a story, video, drawing, poem, or photos—anything that captures your housing cooperative’s creativity and success.
Complete this form to enter your story.
We’ll feature your stories on this page as well as on social media throughout #IYC25 to inspire and connect cooperative housing communities worldwide!
Living & Learning in a Housing Co-op: A Dutch Student’s Experience
When Jori Lamboo moved into Coöperatieve Woonvereniging LA26 in Wageningen, Netherlands, he didn’t just find a place to live—he joined a community that takes housing into its own hands. The co-op, established in 1978 by a group of residents who purchased and now manage the building together, operates on a simple but powerful principle: live collectively, learn continuously.
From fixing broken appliances to repainting shared spaces, residents handle all upkeep themselves. For Jori, this DIY approach transformed his understanding of home maintenance, materials, and responsibility.
Each year, co-op members collectively set their own rent based on actual costs. It’s a crash course in budgeting and transparency—and a reminder that rent doesn’t have to disappear into the unknown.
Beyond the practical skills, Jori gained something deeper: a sense of shared purpose. Living with others who value cooperation, mutual learning, and shared responsibility made his co-op experience truly meaningful.
His story shows what’s possible when housing becomes a learning space. For young people and students, co-ops like LA26 offer not just shelter—but skills, empowerment, and community.
Tomasz Marzec: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Polish Housing Cooperatives
Tomasz Marzec is a dedicated member of a housing cooperative in Poland, a country where housing cooperatives have a long and significant history. With roots in past political systems, these cooperatives have evolved into large organizations, sometimes encompassing hundreds of thousands of members. While their scale and structure can present challenges—such as bureaucracy and financial complexities—these cooperatives continue to play a vital role in providing stable and well-maintained housing for many.
Despite some of the inefficiencies that come with size, Polish housing cooperatives offer clear benefits. Residents enjoy well-insulated buildings, streamlined renovation processes, and access to green spaces that enhance community living. These strengths highlight the cooperative model’s potential to foster sustainable and inclusive housing solutions.
However, the landscape of cooperative housing in Poland is changing. While grassroots movements to establish new housing cooperatives remain rare, some existing cooperatives are expanding by developing new homes and offering apartments at preferential prices. At the same time, discussions about governance, financial transparency, and community engagement continue to shape the future of cooperative living.
Tomasz’s perspective offers a thoughtful reflection on both the strengths and challenges of housing cooperatives in Poland. His experience underscores the need for ongoing dialogue, adaptation, and innovation to ensure that cooperatives remain a viable and inspiring housing solution for future generations.
Tomasz is a lawyer and PhD candidate in energy cooperatives at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland.
Sostre Cívic: Pioneering Cooperative Housing in Catalonia, Spain
Sostre Cívic is transforming housing in Catalonia with its right-of-use model—providing non-speculative, community-managed homes that stay affordable for generations. Instead of buying or renting individually, members collectively co-own and manage their housing cooperative, paying below-market fees while ensuring long-term stability. This system prevents speculation and ensures housing remains accessible for future generations.
Established in 2004, it has grown into the largest cooperative of its kind in the region, with over 550 homes under management and 350 more in development.
Sustainable & Community-Focused
Sostre Cívic prioritizes sustainability and community building. Many of its projects integrate energy-efficient construction, renewable energy sources, and participatory decision-making. The cooperative has also adapted abandoned or underutilized buildings, transforming them into vibrant housing communities while reducing urban waste.
Innovating with Public Partnerships
A key innovation in Sostre Cívic’s approach is its collaboration with public institutions. Through agreements with municipalities, it develops cooperative housing on publicly owned land under long-term leases (right of surface). This model allows for the expansion of social housing without privatization, reinforcing the role of collective ownership in urban development.
Leading Policy Change
Sostre Cívic has played a crucial role in advocating for cooperative housing at a policy level, contributing to the recognition of the right-of-use model in Catalonia’s legal framework. Its projects have inspired similar initiatives across Spain, demonstrating that cooperative housing is a scalable, sustainable, and socially just alternative to traditional real estate.
By fostering a culture of shared responsibility and community participation, Sostre Cívic is redefining access to housing. Its model proves that homes can be built on values, not just market principles.