Study on the Efficacy of National-Level and Apex Cooperative Associations: Final Report

These associations are formed to meet the common needs of their members and constituents, and their main function is to be profitable businesses. Cooperatives aim to be economically self-reliant from revenue they generate, unlike non-governmental organizations that need government and/or external support to function. The study on the efficacy of national-level and apex cooperative associations was commissioned by the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Office of Local Sustainability in the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment. The study aimed to inform the donor community on how to better support cooperatives in its programming. The study found that apex associations can be national level and cross-sectoral, sector specific at the national and sub-national level, or sub-national and cross-sectoral to advance a common set of interests. Apex associations are able to gain greater market power and better engage in policy advocacy than individual cooperatives. They provide useful and valuable services to their members, undertake advocacy, and utilize donor funding to serve their core mission. The study identified two models of apex associations: government/donor-created and/or supported, and organically created and sustained by society. The study found that successful apex associations are self-sustaining, even in low-income countries, and that context matters but is not the only thing that matters. The study also found that valuable services are the most useful function for strengthening member cooperatives. National-level and apex associations are more relevant in countries/sectors where primary cooperatives already exist. Strong, visionary leadership is necessary for the success of apex associations. The study made several recommendations for future donor investments and coordination, including assessing the history, context, and current perception of cooperatives, assessing capacity, services, and member engagement, understanding the financial structure to complement rather than compensate, and jointly designing programs with apex and national-level associations. The study identified several key findings, including the importance of self-sustainability, the need for strong leadership, and the value of providing useful and valuable services to members. The study also highlighted the need for donors to understand the financial structure of apex associations and to design programs that complement rather than compensate for their core operations. The study's recommendations aim to inform the donor community on how to better support cooperatives in its programming and to promote the development of strong, self-sustaining apex associations. Apex associations can be categorized into different types, including national level and cross-sectoral, sector specific at the national and sub-national level, or sub-national and cross-sectoral. These associations are formed to advance a common set of interests and to provide support to primary cooperatives. The study found that apex associations are able to gain greater market power and better engage in policy advocacy than individual cooperatives. The study's findings and recommendations aim to promote the development of strong, self-sustaining apex associations that can provide valuable services to their members and constituents. The study's conclusions highlight the importance of self-sustainability, strong leadership, and the provision of useful and valuable services to members. The study's recommendations aim to inform the donor community on how to better support cooperatives in its programming and to promote the development of apex associations that can meet the needs of their members and constituents.