On January 21, 2025, the all-Ukrainian conference “Cooperative UPLIFT-2026: The Power of Cooperatives” took place – a platform for professional dialogue on the role of cooperatives in the revival of the agri-food sector, the development of farming, and Ukraine’s Eurointegration in the conditions of war.
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The event was organized by the Business Network of Rural Women and the Cooperative Academy in collaboration with SOCODEVI within the framework of the “HONOR: Honoring the Contribution of Rural Women to the Agri-Food Systems of Ukraine” project. The conference brought together representatives of the state authorities, the cooperative movement, the farming community, civil society organizations, as well as international partners and donors.
At the core of the program was the development of cooperative entrepreneurship, support for small and medium-sized farms, and the enhancement of economic, energy, and organizational resilience of agribusiness. Participants discussed the current state of cooperatives in Ukraine, key barriers to their development, advocacy tools, as well as the strategic partnerships necessary for scaling the cooperative model.
Cooperation as a Path to Recovery and Reintegration
During the conference opening, the chair of the Business Network of Rural Women and co-founder of the Cooperative Academy, Sofia Burtak, emphasized the special importance of cooperatives in times of war and profound social transformations.
“The year 2025 for us is a year of cooperation, a year of numerous achievements and partnerships that we have managed to build. At the same time, it is a year of losses, as among our community, there are those who perished due to the full-scale invasion. Many members and heads of cooperatives today serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and defend the country. We clearly understand: cooperation is a practical path to integration and reintegration, an opportunity to return to agriculture and continue development. That is why veterans, both male and female, and active servicemen remain with us – in cooperatives, in support, in expertise. This is what keeps our team going and gives us the strength to move forward,” she noted.
Eurointegration Challenges and Women’s Leadership
A separate block of discussions was dedicated to Eurointegration challenges for the agricultural sector: adaptation to European standards, ecological approaches, requirements for sustainable development, and energy efficiency. Participants paid considerable attention to the role of women’s leadership in agri-food systems and the revitalization of rural areas.
During the conference, practical cases of Ukrainian cooperatives were presented, which, despite the full-scale war, managed to preserve and develop production and processing, build cooperation, and strengthen the economic foundation of communities. These examples demonstrated that cooperation remains one of the key instruments for the survival and development of rural territories.
Representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, relevant ministries, the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Agrarian and Land Policy, the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, as well as international partners and donors from Canada, the EU, and Italy, participated in the discussions. Ukrainian and international organizations working in the field of cooperative development, sustainable agriculture, and women’s entrepreneurship also took part.
Support from Canada and International Partners
During the event, the Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc, emphasized Canada’s long-term support for the cooperative movement and rural communities in Ukraine.
“I am proud that Canada has been supporting the cooperative movement in Ukraine, as well as small and medium farmers, women farmers, and rural businesswomen for almost 20 years. They are crucial for the resilience of rural communities and food security. Cooperatives are one of the most effective solutions for producers who voluntarily pool resources for economic success and support local communities. The HONOR project will continue to contribute to the development of cooperatives, the implementation of innovative solutions, the enhancement of energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Canada will always stand by the people of Ukraine,” Natalka Cmoc stated.
Launch of the Cooperative Support Program
A significant outcome of the “Cooperative UPLIFT-2026” was the announcement of the opening of registration for the Cooperative Support Program aimed at the development of existing cooperatives and those who want to relaunch their operations, enhance processing, improve energy efficiency, managerial capacity, and adaptation to European standards.
The program includes comprehensive expert, educational, advisory, and resource support and is part of the systematic work on the recovery and sustainable development of Ukraine’s agri-food sector.
Detailed information and registration are available at:
https://forms.gle/ByF391QKeEjFwdVa6
Summaries and Next Steps
The event took place in a hybrid format, allowing both offline and online participants to join the discussions. Following the conference, a Resolution with agreed proposals on the development of cooperatives, support for farms, and cooperative entrepreneurship with consideration of Eurointegration and ecological approaches was adopted.
The document is intended to serve as the basis for further dialogue between the state, business, civil society, and practical steps to strengthen the role of cooperatives in Ukraine’s recovery.