OurCoop celebrates International Day of Cooperatives and four years of changing lives through Our Malawi Partnership

As co-operatives around the world came together to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives on 4 July, OurCoop marked the occasion by celebrating four years of its pioneering Our Malawi Partnership and the transformational impact of co-operation in action.

This year's global theme, 'Cooperatives for a Peaceful World', highlights the unique role co-operatives play in building trust, strengthening communities and creating more inclusive and resilient economies.

For OurCoop, nowhere is this more evident than in Malawi.

Launched on the International Day of Cooperatives in 2022, Our Malawi Partnership was created to connect smallholder farmers in Malawi directly with UK consumers through fair and ethical trade. Four years on, the initiative has become a powerful example of how co-operation can strengthen livelihoods, empower communities and build long-term resilience.

The partnership has generated more than £1 million in sales, helped provide clean water access to 37,000 people, supported sustainable farming practices and planted nearly 20,000 trees annually through reforestation initiatives.

This year's anniversary comes during the UN’s International Year of the Woman Farmer, providing an opportunity to celebrate the women whose leadership is helping shape the future of Malawi's agricultural communities.

During an annual visit to Malawi, Dr Sarah Alldred, Relationship Lead for Our Malawi Partnership, travelled alongside partners from the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives (MAFECO), meeting the farmers and co-operative leaders driving progress across the country.

The visit included discussions with senior government representatives, including Dr Bright Molande, Permanent Secretary for Industrialisation, Director of Cooperatives Jacinta Chipendo and UN Women Country Representative Ann Lipipa Chikoko, focusing on strengthening co-operative legislation and supporting the continued growth of Malawi's co-operative movement.

Sarah Alldred said: "Our Malawi Partnership demonstrates what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose. The relationships we have built over the last four years are founded on trust, mutual support and a belief that co-operation can create lasting change.

"As we celebrate both the International Day of Cooperatives and the International Year of the Woman Farmer, we are particularly proud to champion the women leading this work in Malawi. Women make up more than 70% of Malawi's agricultural labour force and produce most of the country's food, yet they often remain undervalued and under-supported.

"When we invest in women farmers, we invest in food security, stronger communities and a more sustainable future."

One of the most inspiring moments of the visit came while meeting Rosemary Kaphadzale, Chairwoman of Highlands Macadamia Co-operative Union Limited. Rosemary said: "The support we received in achieving Fairtrade certification for our co-operative has been transformative. It has sparked enthusiasm in members who were once disheartened by unpredictable market prices. We are already seeing positive effects, including membership growth in our co-operative and renewed confidence in a fair price for our produce."

Her story reflects the wider impact of the partnership, demonstrating how empowering women and strengthening co-operatives can create opportunities not only for individuals, but for entire communities.

The visit also reinforced the importance of long-term partnerships. From meetings with Mzuzu Coffee Cooperative Union to visits with macadamia farmers and community groups, partners reflected on progress, addressed challenges and identified new opportunities for growth.

OurCoop is also exploring future product opportunities, including Malawian honey, macadamia oil and cocoa, creating even more ways for Members and customers to support producers in Malawi.

A highlight of the visit was the annual Cooperative Trade Fair in Blantyre, which showcased the diversity and innovation of Malawi's co-operative movement, bringing together producers, government leaders and international partners in a shared celebration of co-operation.

Through partnerships including the One Foundation Beyond Boreholes initiative and tree-planting programmes supported by OurCoop's Funeral business, communities across Malawi are seeing tangible benefits, including more economic opportunities and stronger, more resilient communities.

As the global co-operative movement celebrates this year's theme of Cooperatives for a Peaceful World, OurCoop believes its Malawi partnership demonstrates how co-operation can help build more equitable, inclusive and prosperous communities.

By working together, co-operatives create economic opportunities, strengthen social cohesion and empower people to shape their own futures.

As Our Malawi Partnership enters its fifth year, OurCoop remains committed to working alongside its members, customers and partners to continue strengthening livelihoods, keeping value within communities, building long-term resilience and supporting women farmers and co-operative enterprise.

Because co-operation is more than a business model - it is a movement that changes lives. To find out more about the Our Malawi Partnership, visit malawi.centralengland.coop/. To find your nearest OurCoop shop with the Our Malawi Partnership food range, search at stores.centralengland.coop/search.