February 2025 Newsletter

Volume 17 Issue 2

From the CWCF Blog

LESSONS FROM THE BLACK CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT

Co-operativism has a rich history within the Black diaspora, one that had long been overlooked but is gaining new attention through books such as Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard’s Collective Courage.

Worker Co-op Program Profile

WORKER CO-OP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EMPOWERS BLACK WOMEN

Participants in the program are given the opportunity to create businesses that reflect their skills, passion, and cultural values.

Rapport de la Directrice générale

L’Année internationale des coopératives 2025
Comité JEDDI
Conseillère en équité et diversité
Projet de recherche

SAVE THE DATE: CWCF CONFERENCE 2025

CWCF's annual Conference takes place this year at Edmonton's Providence Renewal Centre, November 18-20, with one day devoted exclusively to the International Year of Co-operatives. Interested in joining the conference planning committee? Email our Executive Assistant Chloe Williams at exec-assist@canadianworker.coop.

YOUNG ADULTS ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTING PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Projects promoting co-operatives (preferably worker co-ops) can apply for a grant of up to $1000 by April 30, 2025.

Photo by RhondaK Native Florida Folk Artist on Unsplash

RACIAL JUSTICE PROJECT GRANTS AND JEDDI TRAINING BURSARIES ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Apply by April 1 for a racial justice project grant or JEDDI training bursary.

Photo by PiggyBank on Unsplash

WORKER CO-OP EDUCATION BURSARY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Apply by March 7 for a bursary to support education or training that will strengthen the worker co-op movement.

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

NEW CWCF MEMBERS

The Cleaning Co-op, Vancouver, BC
Toronto Mobile Bicyle Repair Co-op, Toronto, ON
Chorus Frog Organic Gardens Cooperative, Saltspring Island, BC

Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

NEW BOARD EQUITY ADVISOR

CWCF is pleased to welcome Dr. Lucenia Ortiz of Edmonton's Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative to its Board of Directors.

CWCF IS NOW ON BLUESKY

Join the Conversation! CWCF will be sharing news and updates about our organization and the worker co-op movement on this platform.

REMINDER: CWCF MEMBERSHIP DUES

All CWCF worker co-op members should now have received their membership renewal notice for the current fiscal year, which runs from September 1 2024 - August 31 2025. Please contact Operations and Member Services Manager Kaye Grant at communications@canadianworker.coop if your co-op didn't receive a notice.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

DID YOU KNOW?

What distinguishes a worker co-op from a conventional small business, and what does it take for consumers to recognize the difference? Promoting your co-op values is part of the answer. CWCF to come share, learn, and connect on this topic with other co-op members at our upcoming Co-op Conversations session February 28 at 12 pm ET.

Worker Co-op News

IN CANADA

Co-operatives and Coalition Building for Just Home Care webinar February 25.

Stocksy United has multiple job openings.

Co-op Zone 2025 Co-op Development Online Training Program: Making it Work: Incorporating and Associating with Denyse Guy, Parts A and B March 6 and April 10.

Applications are due May 31 for the International Centre for Co-op Management's Master's and Diploma Programs.

The 2025 CMC Congress takes place in Regina June 10-11.

The 5th Global Research Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance takes place in Montreal July 8 - 11.

Applications to Co-operators' Co-operative Development Program (CDP) are due March 31.

INTERNATIONALLY

How Solidarity Economies Take Hold.

UN Looks for Ways to Grow the Social and Solidarity Economy.

Let's Talk About Worker Ownership.

Co-op Movement Gets Ready to Fight its Corner in Trump's America.

The Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF) is a national, bilingual grassroots membership organization of and for worker

co-operatives, related types of co-operatives (multi-stakeholder co-ops), and organizations that support the growth and development of worker co-operatives. CWCF's e-newsletter is available free of charge to anyone with an e-mail address and an interest in worker co-operative developments in Canada. Please send comments, suggestions, or news about your co-op to:

Kenzie Love

Editor of the CWCF Newsletter

admin@canadianworker.coop

(403) 276-8250