New Policy Brief Calls for Inclusive Financing to Achieve SDG 17 Goals.
In a landmark policy brief released jointly by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC) and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), cooperatives have been spotlighted as essential drivers of global cooperation, sustainable development, and financial inclusion.
The document underscores how cooperatives are bridging the gap between grassroots initiatives and global development frameworks, while advancing national strategies through localized solutions.
Trusted for decades as stable financial institutions in rural and underserved areas, cooperatives mobilize domestic resources through savings and offer tailored loans that support entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth. Their extensive engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly in areas of environmental stewardship and climate resilience, reinforces their role as agents of systemic change.
Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) which calls for revitalizing global partnerships to implement the 2030 Agenda, places strong emphasis on collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector.
However, despite a global surge in foreign direct investment (FDI), recent findings paint a worrying picture. According to recent UNCTAD report, global FDI reached an impressive $1.4 trillion, yet SDG-related investment declined by 11%. Middle-income countries, burdened by unsustainable debt levels, remain especially vulnerable.
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) noted that cooperatives play a pivotal role in reversing this trend by promoting inclusive employment, fostering financial literacy, and enhancing community-based climate adaptation strategies.
Despite their demonstrable impact, cooperatives remain on the periphery of mainstream policy and financial ecosystems. Many operate without the backing of supportive legal and regulatory frameworks. Access to development finance remains limited, and their contributions are often excluded from national statistical databases, rendering them “invisible” in policy debates. Furthermore, persistent misconceptions that cooperatives serve narrow interests rather than the collective good continue to hinder their recognition as serious development actors.
These structural barriers must be dismantled if cooperatives are to realize their full potential in delivering on the SDGs.
In response to these pressing challenges, global leaders and development actors convened at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Seville, Spain. The summit culminated in the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment. A comprehensive platform for reforming the global financial architecture to catalyze investment in sectors aligned with the SDGs. The Commitment calls for the democratization of finance, enabling more direct and inclusive access to capital for community-led initiatives, including cooperatives.
COPAC and ICA have pledged to scale up investments in productive sectors, targeting the creation of decent work, skills development, and economic empowerment for marginalized groups.
Their joint call to action emphasizes that a fairer world is only possible through inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth.
As the global community races toward 2030, cooperatives offer a tested, people-centered model that connects local realities with international aspirations, proving once again that cooperation is not just a principle, but a powerful strategy for building a better world.
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