Unleashing the potential of Cooperatives in peacebuilding

Abstract

Cooperatives are longstanding socioeconomic enterprises with a focus on members well-being worldwide. Prior to the concern for the community principle, cooperative operations were limited to members. With the formal adoption of the “concern for community” principle in 1995, cooperative mandates expanded beyond member welfare to encompass broader societal responsibilities, including contributions to peace and social cohesion. International institutions such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, and the International Cooperative Alliance increasingly recognize cooperatives as actors in achieving peaceful and inclusive societies under frameworks such as the SDGs and Agenda 2063. This paper examines the potential of cooperative enterprises to contribute to peacebuilding, with a particular focus on the African context. Drawing on an integrated theoretical framework combining positive peace theory, conflict transformation, and cooperative agency, the study undertakes a systematic qualitative review of documented cooperative interventions in conflict-affected settings globally. Comparative evidence from cases in Rwanda, Nepal, Colombia, and other regions demonstrates that cooperatives can foster reconciliation, rebuild social trust, and address structural inequalities through shared economic activity and participatory governance. Despite Africa’s extensive cooperative movement and persistent exposure to violent and structural conflicts, documented cooperative engagement in peacebuilding remains limited. The analysis identifies key constraints, including conservative member orientations, weak reflexive agency for peacebuilding, rigid policy and legislative frameworks, and underdeveloped middle-range cooperative institutions. The paper argues that African cooperatives possess latent peacebuilding capacity but lack enabling ecosystems and strategic orientation. It concludes by outlining pathways for strengthening cooperative peacebuilding in Africa through leadership development, policy reform, and institutional support aligned with continental frameworks.