Introduction
A significant portion of India’s workforce, aged 18-35, plays a crucial role in the economy. However, young women in the informal sector face challenges such as lack of education, unemployment, and social barriers. Youth-centric cooperatives can address these issues by fostering innovation, expanding income opportunities, sharing best practices, enhancing credibility and participation in the cooperative movement. On the occasion of India’s 75th year of independence, the Ministry of Cooperation was established to strengthen cooperatives as a key driver of socio-economic development, aligning with Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and rural growth. Inclusive cooperative models incorporating capacity building, education, and skill training can ensure sustainable cooperative development, balancing economic, social, and environmental goals. The Coop Connect programme, launched by the National Cooperative Union of India, promotes cooperative models among youth through education, training, and faculty development. The literature on youth and cooperatives highlights global perspectives from the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), SEWA Cooperative Federation, India’s institutional initiatives, and incubation efforts led by the National Skill Development Council.
Context
The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) has been a pioneer in uplifting informal women workers through livelihood interventions tailored to their needs. For the past 32 years, one of the sister organizations of SEWA, the SEWA Cooperative Federation (referred to as SCF in the document) has focused on supporting cooperatives and collectives for informal women workers for their sustainability and making them resilient. These cooperatives are founded on values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was evident that the cooperative structure enhanced resilience and strengthened solidarity.
