Survey Reveals High Interest in Participation in Cooperatives During International Year of Cooperatives 2025

Interest in Cooperatives: A 2025 Survey

From June 22 to June 28, 2025, the PalSystem Cooperative Federation conducted a comprehensive online survey regarding the upcoming International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). The results indicated a positive perception of cooperatives, with 70% of participants expressing a desire to engage in cooperative activities.

Understanding Cooperatives

The survey aimed to gauge consumer awareness and interest surrounding the IYC. Only about 15.9% of respondents were familiar with the concept, indicating that there is significant room for increased education about cooperatives. Over 70% viewed cooperatives as democratic organizations where members have a say in operations. However, there remains a little over 10% of respondents who were unsure about what cooperatives entail. Notably, 85.5% recognized PalSystem as a cooperative upon joining.

Desire to Participate

Among the participants, a substantial 69.7% showed interest in participating in cooperative-related activities. The predominant engagement preferences were for product monitoring and development (28.4%) and purchasing products with a surcharge (21.4%). Additionally, many expressed a desire to participate in on-site visits and direct interactions with producers (18.9%), alongside contributing to fundraising (18.0%). Many respondents noted challenges in attending physical events, highlighting the importance of technological solutions like Zoom for remote participation.

Feeling Connected through Cooperative Engagement

The survey also asked participants about the benefits they experience as members of PalSystem. The most common feedback reflected satisfaction with access to safe and reliable food products. Other responses included the appreciation for being able to consume responsibly, ensuring a positive impact on the environment and society. Many praised PalSystem’s delivery service, allowing them to spend more time with family while avoiding grocery trips. Other comments captured sentiments about supporting local producers and obtaining organic ingredients at reasonable prices.

Overview of the Survey

Title: Survey on the International Year of Cooperatives
Duration: June 22 - 28, 2025
Demographic: Randomly selected members of PalSystem who have completed orders
Method: Online survey
Respondents: 1,255 individuals

Cooperating Beyond Boundaries: A New Initiative

In recognition of the 2025 IYC, the United Nations re-established this observance for a second time since 2012. As part of celebrating this occasion, PalSystem has launched a special page titled