Dominica moves closer to launching new cooperatives policy with support from ILO and Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies

A landmark partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean and Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies is providing technical guidance to revitalize the mechanisms behind Commonwealth of Dominica’s cooperatives policy for the benefit of the country.

In response to Dominica’s need to close gaps in its cooperatives landscape, the ILO is collaborating with Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies to develop and introduce a new framework within which the Government and non-financial cooperatives and credit unions, will work in together to ensure that the cooperative sector achieves its capacity to elevate social and economic development. Once finalized and adopted, the policy is expected to positively impact the resilience of the people and communities within the country towards building a stronger and sustainable future.

The latest development in the process recently took place between 27 April and 3 May 2023 during several meetings with Government officials in the lead up to a multi-stakeholder consultation on 2 May 2023 to present and validate cooperative policy imperatives. The sessions were led by ILO Caribbean Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation, John Bliek, Dr. André Vincent Henry, Director of Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies and Mariet Canoville, Registrar/Commissioner of the Cooperative Division of Dominica. They also featured Mr. Lucien Blackmore, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, Dominica.

In addition to the consultations, the team participated in short meetings with the Honourable Greta Roberts, Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, as well as the Honourable Oscar George, Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development.

“The ILO is pleased to collaborate with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica as well as other key stakeholders to design and implement an effective policy that will define the role of cooperatives in the social, economic and cultural development of its members, their communities and the Commonwealth of Dominica. It will facilitate a more enabling environment for cooperatives to realize their potential while upholding the principles and values in the organization and operations of cooperatives,” said John Bliek.

While Dominica’s history of cooperatives dates back to the 1940s and led to the registration of its first national cooperative in 1952, achieving their full potential requires policy and programmatic measures. According to the World Council of Credit Unions Inc (WOCCU), in 2020 Dominica had the highest penetration rate by credit unions in the world. While the average was 12.18 per cent, Dominica’s was 169.06 per cent. (WOCCU 2020), which signals a significant possibility for contributing to economic stability and growth. According to the World Bank, in 2021 the GDP of Dominica was USD552Mn. The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) estimates that the total assets of credit unions in Dominica in 2020 was USD346.2Mn, while deposits were USD292Mn and loans USD206Mn.

Through the policy development process, Dominica’s cooperative movement can also enhance its ability to strengthen national resilience, which was emphasized by Mariet Canoville who explained, “This project encourages the mission to achieve a climate resilient country through an already resilient cooperative movement.”

Given today’s current socio-economic context, Dominica is prioritizing an enabling environment for cooperatives that will address challenges and opportunities, as well as current and possible contributions to the economy and prospects for innovation and expansion to other sectors. The Government has shown a strong appreciation for the collaboration and interest in continuing to work with the ILO and Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies through the policy development process.

Following these recent interventions in April and May, the drafting team is continuing to work closely together. Their collaboration will culminate in the launch of the new policy framework under the theme: People, Prosperity and Innovation / Resilience.

For more information, please visit the Government of Dominica’s Cooperative Development website.