Cooperators are leveraging the U.N.’s spotlight on cooperatives to begin or expand regional commitment to worker cooperative enterprises.
Olympia, WA has declared 2025 the Year of Cooperatives, joining three other U.S. cities recognizing the model’s vital role in solving regional, national, and global challenges. USFWC member Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) led the effort, with the resolution passing Monday, Aug. 4.
Olympia’s Blue Heron Bakery, a USFWC member, transitioned to worker and community ownership with support from the City of Olympia and the NWCDC, according to The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater. Since converting, “The long-established business has grown significantly — adding nearly 25% more jobs and increasing its sales by 36%, demonstrating how cooperative conversions can both preserve and expand local employment,” the journal reports.
But steep federal funding cuts threaten co-op development. States and cities must step up their investments to keep worker co-ops growing and thriving.
The U.N. has declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives, offering the U.S. cooperative movement a rare opening: the power of global attention. At a time of vast political uncertainty and economic volatility, the world is searching for models of economic and democratic renewal. Cooperatives offer a path forward.
Olympia joins Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Anchorage. With these resolutions, cooperators are leveraging the U.N.’s spotlight on cooperatives to begin or expand regional commitment to supporting local worker cooperative enterprises.
“It was powerful to see our City Leaders pass this resolution recognizing the UN Declared Year of the Co-op. Our workers did an amazing job explaining what a difference being a worker owner has made in their lives and from the comments of our Vice Mayor and Council members you could tell our elected officials really got it!”
– Ellen Vera, USFWC member Co-op Cincy, Cincinnati, OH
A resolution of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly declaring 2025 as the year of cooperatives in Anchorage and supporting the development and growth of local cooperative businesses. The effort was led by Yaso Thiru of USFWC member First Entrepreneur.
Ask your city or state to declare 2025 the Year of Cooperatives
We’re calling on cooperators nationwide to seize this moment to strengthen our ecosystems and to promote and advance worker co-ops. The USFWC is here to help. Email policy@usworker.coop if you are interested is spearheading this effort in your region.
