Cooperatives: Anchoring Identity in a Nation Under Siege

The air raid sirens wailed through Kyiv’s streets, a stark reminder that this was no ordinary

consulting assignment. As we huddled in the basement of our hotel with our colleagues from

Socodevi – the Quebec-based development agency that had brought us here – the reality of

working in a war zone crystallized. When the all-clear finally sounded, we emerged to continue our mission: helping Ukrainian cooperatives not just survive but serve as anchors of identity and hope in a nation fighting for its very existence. Our role was to share our deep international experience to makes cooperatives an important part of building a modern Ukraine, including how to advance strategy, training and education, infrastructure and government relations.

Our separate visits to Ukraine in 2024 – Paul’s in spring and Peter’s in fall – were part of

Socodevi’s We Prosper project, which originally aimed to support the development of

cooperatives, with a focus on women’s economic participation and growth. Since the start of the conflict, We Prosper has admirably adapted to include internally displaced persons in safer regions of the country. The project is contributing to making cooperatives part of a strong and resilient infrastructure that forms a fundamental part of Ukraine’s identity. “If we don’t do this work, Putin wins!” one cooperative leader told us, capturing the spirit of determination we encountered throughout our visits.

Resilience Through Cooperation

Producer owners of Fermerska Rodyna cooperative launching their local mobile food delivery vehicle.

Ukraine’s relationship with cooperatives is complex and often painful. During the Soviet era, the word cooperative described state-controlled organizations that lacked any local control or ownership by members. That memory has left deep scars and continues to shape public

perception of cooperatives. Yet what we found was a new generation reclaiming the cooperative model, transforming it from a symbol of oppression into a tool of liberation and self-determination. 

Near Lviv, we visited Fermerska Rodyna, an agricultural marketing cooperative that has become a lifeline for individual farms. The cooperative produces a wide range of Ukrainian produce, each item a testament to the country’s rich agricultural heritage. We were there to help Fermerska Rodyna advance their business plan and structure to add value to its products, and successfully export them to international markets. As we toured their new mobile shop – donated from Canada through international cooperation – we witnessed how they’re preserving a way of life through selling their products.

In another region, we met with the dynamic young leaders of Faina Polyana cooperative, who are exporting field berries and berry crops across Europe and are now eyeing Canadian and US markets. Demos’ deep international experience in farming, production and retail give us a unique perspective and value to share with cooperatives like Faina Polyana.

Already a very capable organization, Faina Polyana are making use of their new access to

international cooperative knowledge and expertise to access new international markets and

accelerate its growth and evolution. Its predominantly women-led farms exemplify how

cooperatives are providing hope and increasing sophistication in production and marketing, even under the shadow of war. “We’re not just feeding our members and defenders,” their leader told us, “We’re preserving our way of life. Through cooperation, we’re creating something that deepens our identity – something no one can take away.”

Building a New Cooperative Ecosystem in Wartime

The nascent cooperative movement we encountered is remarkable for its youth and vigor. At the Coop Academy meetings in Kyiv, we participated in strategy sessions with agricultural

cooperatives and international agencies. The Academy is building capacity as a part of its

journey from being part of a larger agricultural development organization to a cooperative-

specific resource; a comprehensive cooperative development agency that plays a crucial role in rebuilding trust in the cooperative model.

During the Sustainable Agribusiness conference, we engaged with cooperative leaders from across the country. Their enthusiasm, particularly among younger members untainted by Soviet-era experiences, was palpable. These new cooperatives vary widely in their abilities and aspirations – from small local initiatives to increasingly sophisticated export-oriented enterprises – but all share a commitment to Ukrainian identity and independence. 

Working in a war zone presented unique challenges. Socodevi’s comprehensive security measures – including military-grade first aid kits, flak jackets, and a support from military advisors – enabled us to reach cooperatives even in areas close to the conflict.

During our visits, we saw how cooperatives are adapting to wartime conditions. Credit unions are providing essential financial services while rebuilding trust in cooperative principles. Agricultural cooperatives are not only maintaining food security but exploring international markets, particularly in anticipation of EU integration.

In our discussions with members of Ukraine’s cooperatives, a message that resonated time

and time again was how their struggle mirrors historical precedents of cooperatives as a part of a larger struggle for identity and economic independence during great cultural and political pressure. The message it conveyed was clear: You are important. You are worth supporting.

A women's beekeeping cooperative is supported by the Coop Academy; it is still going strong throughout the current conflict.

A Call to the Diaspora: Building Bridges Through

Cooperation

Walking through the streets of Lviv, we couldn’t help but think of the vibrant Ukrainian

communities across Canada and the United States – communities that have helped build and lead some of North America’s strongest cooperatives. From credit unions in Manitoba to agricultural cooperatives in Saskatchewan, Ukrainian-Canadians have been instrumental in shaping the cooperative landscape of their adopted home.

Now, as Ukraine fights for its very existence, these deep cooperative roots offer unique

opportunities for support and connection. With 1.9 million Ukrainians in Canada and well over a million in the United States, the diaspora represents not just a cultural bridge, but a potential lifeline of expertise, resources, and market connections for Ukraine’s emerging cooperative movement.

This made us ask: what role could the Ukrainian diaspora play in building and strengthening

Ukraine’s cooperative movement? Canadians and Americans of Ukrainian heritage hold

leadership positions in North American cooperatives – a credit union executive in Winnipeg, an agricultural cooperative manager in Minnesota, or a housing cooperative director in Toronto – that offer a uniquely valuable role. Understanding both cooperative enterprise and Ukrainian culture and language provides insights and experiences that could be transformative for Ukraine’s cooperative renaissance.

We’ve seen firsthand how Ukrainian cooperatives are hungry for this connection. A credit union manager in Kyiv was very keen to find out more about Canadian credit union practices. An agricultural cooperative near Lviv wanted to learn about marketing strategies used by North American farmer cooperatives. These are areas where diaspora leaders could make an immediate and lasting impact.

The opportunities for engagement are numerous and meaningful: Sharing governance best

practices developed over decades of cooperative leadership in North America, helping to open doors to international markets and leveraging business networks to create new opportunities for Ukrainian products. Expertise in financial instruments and cooperative capital could help design innovative funding solutions for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and an understanding of quality standards and regulatory compliance could be invaluable as Ukrainian cooperatives prepare for EU integration.

Particularly significant is the potential to create direct cooperative-to-cooperative partnerships. Imagine Canadian credit unions partnering with Ukrainian credit unions, sharing technology and risk management expertise. Picture American agricultural cooperatives establishing procurement relationships with Ukrainian farmer cooperatives, or adapting the latest technologies, to create sustainable market opportunities.

To our Ukrainian-Canadian and Ukrainian-American cooperative leaders: your communities

once helped build North America’s cooperative movement. Today, you have the opportunity to help rebuild Ukraine’s cooperative sector, strengthening not just its economy but its very identity. Whether through direct involvement, mentorship, or investment, your engagement could help ensure that cooperation becomes a cornerstone of Ukraine’s future.

This isn’t just about business – it’s about preserving and strengthening Ukrainian culture through the principles of cooperation that so many of your parents and grandparents brought to North America. As Ukraine writes its next chapter, you can help ensure that cooperatives play a central role in building a resilient, independent, and prosperous future.

Faina Polyana sorting raspberries for export, they are looking to enter new markets particularly in North America.

Looking Ahead: An Unshakeable Identity

The path forward for Ukraine’s cooperatives is challenging but filled with potential. The

cooperative ecosystem, while still fragile, is showing remarkable resilience. Organizations like

the Coop Academy are building capacity, second-tier cooperative unions are emerging, and innovative models – from veterans’ cooperatives to digital platforms – are being explored.

As we concluded our visits, we were struck by both the immense challenges and the unwavering spirit of Ukraine’s cooperative leaders. In their work, we see the power of cooperation in action – not just as an economic model, but as a force for cultural preservation, community resilience, and national identity.

Ukraine’s cooperative story is still being written, but its themes of resilience, community, and

self-determination are already clear. Through cooperatives, Ukrainians are not just rebuilding

their economy; they’re strengthening their identity and securing their future – one cooperative at a time.