Dominica to host regional seminar on role of cooperatives in facilitating social equitability

A comprehensive two-day regional workshop titled “The Role of Social and Solidarity Economy in Advancing Social Justice” is set to take place in Dominica. As per a press release by the Cooperative Development Division, this event will bring together government officials, cooperative leaders, and technical experts from across the Eastern Caribbean to exchange successful practices, collaboratively develop actionable strategies, and establish priority initiatives aimed at bolstering cooperatives within the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

The CDD said the emphasis on Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) organizations, especially cooperatives operating in agriculture and fisheries, underscores their vital role in revitalizing rural economies, enhancing social cohesion, and promoting inclusive economic growth. According to the Division, despite their potential, the sector faces numerous challenges, including outdated legal frameworks, gaps in data collection, limited coordination among institutions, and restricted access to financial and non-financial support services.

Reportedly organized under the EUCaN project—financed by the European Union—the seminar is implemented by FIAP in partnership with the Caribbean Public Vehicle Association (CPVA), and in collaboration with the OECS Commission, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and Dominica’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development. The event aligns with the global observance of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, say organizers.

During the forum, emphasis will be placed on the transformative capacity of SSE and cooperatives to generate inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized groups. The event will feature  addresses from prominent figures, including:

– Gretta Roberts, Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development
– Representatives from the EU Delegation
– Joni T. Musabayana, Director of the Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean at ILO
– Dr. Roxanne Brizan-St. Martin, Programme Director for Health, Social Inclusion, and Social Protection at the OECS Commission

Additionally, the seminar will showcase international frameworks and national experiences related to SSE, presented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy of Spain and the Spanish Confederation of Social Economy. These presentations will explore legal structures, institutional support systems, and innovative financing models adaptable to the Caribbean context.

Expert contributions from organizations such as ILO, FAO, IICA, and Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies will provide practical insights into governance of cooperatives, market aggregation, access to inclusive finance, and climate-resilient practices. Participating countries will also present analyses of their cooperative landscapes, pinpointing legislative gaps, capacity-building needs, data system improvements, and market development opportunities.

“Cooperatives are locally rooted vehicles for generating decent and dignified work, improving small-producer access to markets and value addition, strengthening community resilience to climate shocks, and enabling shared investment in infrastructure, processing and logistics,” concluded the release.