Supporting co-operatives in Malawi through Scottish connections
The Co-operative College has developed new partnerships to create a Scottish presence to further its work with co-operative enterprises in Malawi. The College has been working in Scotland for many years, and provides courses in several locations. The new partnerships will help the College work more closely with Scottish co-operators, and an important dimension of the work will be to enhance the strong Scotland- Malawi relationship through a co‑operative to co‑operative programme.
In 2012, Scotland aims to be declared a Fairtrade nation. According to the Fairtrade Foundation, 75 per cent of all Fairtrade products are produced by co‑operatives. Malawi already produces a number of Fairtrade products. The College’s work in 2012 will build on the attention that co‑operatives and Fairtrade will receive in Scotland in 2012 and access Scottish co‑operative expertise to support small farmers in Malawi.
In Malawi, the College has formed partnerships with COMSIP Co-operative Union, The MZUZU Coffee Planters Co-operative Union and the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives. These partnerships are a result of the College’s research in Malawi in 2010, which was funded by the Co-operative Enterprise Hub. The College has also been working with the African Development Bank to set up 23 small farmers’ groups to become co-operatives.
The College’s Scottish operations will be directed by Stirling Smith, International Programmes Manager. They will be based at College’s office in Manchester and at Robert Owen House, Bath Street, Glasgow G2 2EE. Enquiries may be made direct to Stirling Smith on 07889 600902 or at stirling@co-op.ac.uk , or to the Co‑operative College’s head office in Manchester.
Published On: February 26, 2012
Written By: Natalie
Filed Under: Co-operatives Globally
Co-operative Learning