Cooperativism

The responsibility for cooperative development lies with the Ministry of Economic Development. In view of this responsibility, a Cooperative Development Policy Curaçao 2020- 2025 was created along with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (OWCS), Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Wellbeing (SOAW), Curaçao Association of Small Entrepreneurs (ADECK) and the Curaçao Federation of Cooperatives (FEKOSKAN).

The goal of this policy is to predominantly reaffirm the distinctive character of cooperatives in light of the economic and social challenges facing Curaçao. The policy underlines the central role of cooperatives in the economic development of our island and creates a new dynamics providing the cooperative enterprises immeasurable assistance in meeting the challenges such as capitalization, diversification, competitiveness and training.

The promotion of cooperatives contributes to the achievement of various SDGs, in particular poverty alleviation (SDG1), fighting hunger (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5) and employment and economic growth (SDG 8). Moreover, cooperatives and actors in the social economy spectrum contribute towards, among other things, sustainable and inclusive growth, creation of highly qualified jobs, social cohesion, social innovation, local and regional developments and environmental protection. Furthermore, the social economy plays an important role in combating unemployment especially among the
youth.

Learn more about the local cooperativism movement, the continuous collaboration with the socio-economic partners and government ministries and the indisputable importance of cooperativism for our economy; download and read the complete Cooperative Development Policy Curaçao 2020- 2025