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Italian police arrested a man identified as Serhii K, marking the first known arrest in the case

Vannak helyzetek, amikor a raktározási igény hirtelen jelentkezik, és nincs hónapokig tartó várakozási lehetőség. Az előre gyártott raktársátor ezekben az esetekben is megoldást nyújt, hiszen a szükséges méret és kivitel kiválasztása után akár néhány hét alatt elkészülhet a teljesen működőképes raktársátor, ami azonnal tehermentesíti a logisztikai folyamatokat.

Miért előnyös az előregyártott szerkezet?

A Raktársátor.info / GEGE raktársátor előregyártott típusaival és az árajánlatkérési űrlap egyszerű kitöltésével már a folyamat elején lerövidíthető a teljes átfutási idő. Az előre elkészített vázszerkezetek ugyanis azt jelentik, hogy a gyártási folyamat legidőigényesebb része már megtörtént. 

A hátralévő lépések, a ponyvagyártás, a szállítás és a telepítés, sokkal rövidebb idő alatt megoldhatók, így a projekt tervezése is kiszámíthatóbbá válik. Ez különösen előnyös lehet szezonális árufelhalmozás, gyorsan növekvő készletek vagy váratlan logisztikai kihívások esetén, hiszen a késlekedés nemcsak költséges, de működési fennakadásokat is okozhat.

Méretválaszték, ami lefedi a legtöbb igényt

A 10×16×4 méteres kisebb telephelyekre szabott változattól kezdve a 10×24×4 méteres, ipari felhasználásra is ideális sátorig többféle méret elérhető. Az előre gyártott konstrukciók moduláris jellegük miatt rugalmasan alkalmazkodnak a rendelkezésre álló területhez és a tárolandó áruk mennyiségéhez, így a későbbi bővítés vagy áthelyezés sem jelent akadályt. Ez a rugalmasság nemcsak a jelenlegi igények kielégítését szolgálja, hanem hosszú távon is értéket teremt a vállalkozás számára.

Rugalmasság és tartósság egyben

Az előregyártott raktársátrak tűzihorganyzott acél váza nagyfokú tartósságot garantál, míg a nehezen éghető ponyva ellenáll az időjárási kihívásoknak. A vázkéz megoldással a felhasználó egyszerre kapja meg a gyors kivitelezés előnyét és a hosszú távú biztonságot.

Kinek ideális választás?

Az ilyen típusú raktársátor ideális azoknak, akiknek sürgősen szükségük van új tárolókapacitásra akár mezőgazdasági eszközök védelméről vagy szezonális termékek elhelyezéséről van szó. Az előregyártott elemeknek köszönhetően a beruházás gyorsan megtérül, és azonnali eredményt hoz, miközben a vállalkozás működése zavartalanul folytatódhat. Ez különösen előnyös lehet olyan ágazatokban, ahol a piaci helyzet gyorsan változik, és az alkalmazkodás fontos.

A gyorsaság azonban nem jelent kompromisszumot, hiszen a megfelelően megválasztott, tartós anyagokból készült sátor hosszú távon kiszolgálja a vállalkozás igényeit. Ha a raktározási feladat sürget, az előregyártott konstrukciók hatékony, költségbarát és biztonságos megoldást jelentenek – mindezt úgy, hogy közben mindez a vállalkozásnak környezeti és gazdasági szempontból is előnyös.

The post Gyors megoldás raktározásra akkor, amikor számít az idő appeared first on Biztonságpiac.

Gondolkodtál már azon, hogy mi teszi igazán élvezetessé a szabadtéri tevékenységeket? Ha jártál már túrázni, biztosan tapasztaltad, hogy mekkora hatással van a lábbeli minősége az élményre. Egy jól megválasztott cipő vagy bakancs alapvető a stabilitás, a kényelem és a lábak védelme szempontjából. Legyen szó egy rövid sétáról a természetben vagy egy hosszabb útról, mindenképpen szükséged van egy megfelelő párra, hogy elkerüld a fájdalmas hólyagokat.

Fontos szempontok a lábbeli kiválasztásakor

A szabadtéri tevékenységek során számos tényezőt figyelembe kell venni, amikor cipőt választasz. Például milyen tevékenységhez keresel lábbelit? Túrázás, hegymászás vagy városi séta? Ezek mind különböző tulajdonságokat igényelnek a cipőktől. Az időjárási és terepviszonyok is meghatározók. Ha nedves területre készülsz, elengedhetetlen egy vízálló túrabakancs. Hűvös időjáráshoz pedig a hőszigetelő tulajdonságú cipők az optimálisak.

Válassz könnyű és légáteresztő cipőt meleg napokra, vagy egy strapabíró, magas szárút nehéz terepre. Olyan talpat keress, ami biztos tapadást nyújt, mint például a Vibram technológiával ellátottak.

Praktikus tanácsok a megfelelő cipőhöz

Nagyon fontos, hogy a cipő tökéletesen illeszkedjen. Érdemes felpróbálni vastagabb zoknival, hogy minden esetben kényelmes legyen. Különösen figyelj arra, hogy elég hely legyen a lábujjaknak a lejtőkön való haladáskor.

A talp anyaga és kialakítása sem elhanyagolható. Különösen nehéz terepen szükséges a csúszásmentes talp, mert ez ad stabilitást. Könnyebb sétákra viszont válassz rugalmasabb talpú cipőt. A megfelelő ápolás is elengedhetetlen: vízlepergető spray-k és ápolószerek segítik fenntartani a cipő vízállóságát és tartósságát.

A zokni és a lábkomfort összefüggése

Talán meglepő, de a zokni minősége is befolyásolja a láb komfortérzetét. A túrazoknik elvezetik az izzadságot, megelőzik a hólyagok kialakulását, és megfelelő párnázottságukkal csökkentik a láb terhelését. Ez különösen hosszabb túrák során lehet hasznos.

A cipők élettartama szintén fontos témakör. Mikor jött el az idő a cserére? Általában a talp kopása vagy az anyag elöregedése jelzi, hogy ideje új modell után nézni. A használat intenzitásától függően két-három évente ajánlatos megvizsgálni a lábbelik állapotát.

Végül érdemes megemlíteni néhány, szabadtéri tevékenységekre szakosodott üzletet, mint a Mountex, akik széles választékkal kedveznek a kirándulók és sportolók igényeinek. Kínálatuk a legjobb márkák legújabb modelljeit tartalmazza, hogy mindenki megtalálhatja a számára legmegfelelőbb lábbelit. Te milyen cipőt választanál a legközelebbi sétádra?

The post Az ideális cipő kiválasztása szabadtéri tevékenységekhez appeared first on Biztonságpiac.

De la Galice à la Normandie, les élevages de moules sont confrontés à un effondrement des stocks. En cause, le changement climatique, la pollution et les toxines invasives qui composent un « cocktail » toxique, et menacent une pierre angulaire de l’avenir alimentaire durable de l’Europe.

The post De la marée à la table : les moules baignées dans une mer de nanoplastiques appeared first on Euractiv FR.

"It is unquestionable that this would endanger the sense of security of many Jews, especially at this site," the court said

It is one of many small steps meant to help Germany's decades-old energy transition

WARSAW, 22 August 2025 – Greater efforts are needed to support human rights defenders working to protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as a core human right at the heart of our democracies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

“Across the OSCE region, individuals and entire communities face discrimination, harassment, and even targeted attacks for their beliefs,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “Human rights defenders work tirelessly to monitor and document these violations and abuses, and play a critical role in prevention and accountability, often at great personal risk. Their efforts not only help to protect this fundamental right, but also to foster resilient and inclusive societies.”

In recent years, rising government restrictions on religious activities and societal hostility toward religious and belief communities have been reported across the OSCE area. ODIHR has also noted a significant rise in racist, antisemitic, and anti-Muslim incidents in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, including the desecration of places of worship.

Human rights defenders are critical in exposing such abuses, yet they increasingly face threats, illegal surveillance, smear campaigns labelling them as ‘extremists’ or ‘foreign agents’, and strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing them. Women defenders and those from minority backgrounds are often disproportionately targeted. Failure to prevent such harm and unchecked attacks on human rights defenders embolden perpetrators and leave victims without support.

The OSCE’s participating states have committed to “fostering a climate of mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities as well as between believers and nonbelievers”. They have also recognized that human rights defenders should be free to “seek the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Today, ODIHR calls on countries across the OSCE region to uphold these commitments by stopping practices that seek to hinder the work of human rights defenders and protecting those defending human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.

"Despite headwinds like US tariffs and general uncertainty, businesses across the eurozone seem to be coping reasonably well," the chief economist of the Hamburg Commercial bank said

Klimawandel, Verschmutzung und invasive Gifte verbinden sich zu einem toxischen „Cocktail“, der nicht nur eine Milliardenindustrie, sondern auch ein zentrales Element der nachhaltigen Ernährung Europas bedroht: Muscheln.

Les dirigeants de l’UE planchent sur la mise en place d’une « force de réassurance » qui serait un pilier central des garanties de sécurité fournies par l’Europe à l’Ukraine après la guerre. Toutefois, pour l’heure, de nombreuses zones d’ombre subsistent.

The post Ukraine : des doutes persistent autour de la future force de réassurance appeared first on Euractiv FR.

En 2015, des centaines de milliers de personnes sont passées par Preševo, bourgade albanaise du sud de la Serbie. Agon Ajeti et Valon Arifi ont été engagés dès les premiers jours aux côtés des réfugiés. Ils racontent leur expérience, entre solidarité, défis quotidiens et désillusion.

- Articles / Populations, minorités et migrations, Courrier des Balkans, Migrants Balkans, Serbie, Gratuit

A Nemzeti Kutatási- Fejlesztési és Innovációs Hivatal (NKFIH), mint Program Operátor a Svájci-Magyar Együttműködési Program II. időszak „Kutatás és innováció” tématerületén SM02-RES-PC2 jelű, „EUROSTARS - Az Innovatív KKV-k partnerségi programban való magyar részvételének támogatása” című pályázati felhívást tesz közzé a kedvezményezettek kiválasztása céljából.

Southampton and Nigeria midfielder Joe Aribo says playing cage football growing up in London made him the player he is today.

C'est le 10e anniversaire du prix créé en l'honneur du journaliste ghanéen décédé à l'âge de 41 ans.

By External Source
Aug 21 2025 (IPS-Partners)

Dr. Faiza Hassan is the Director of the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE). A chemical engineer who transitioned into education leadership, Dr. Hassan brings close to 20 years of diverse experience in education, social policy reform and humanitarian response. She has a proven track record in strategic management, technical leadership and driving impactful, large-scale complex programmes.

ECW: With international aid shrinking across the world, why should public and private sector donors continue to prioritize investment in quality education for children living through the world’s most severe humanitarian crises?

Dr. Faiza Hassan: Education is a fundamental human right. Every girl and boy, in every country, is entitled to it. States hold the primary responsibility for ensuring its provision, but in humanitarian crises, governments are often unable to fulfil this role – leaving millions of children without access to learning. Today, more than 234 million children and adolescents have their education impacted by crises worldwide.

During conflict or crisis situations, education becomes more than a classroom activity. It offers safety, stability and hope. It provides children with psychosocial support, helping them process trauma and rebuild a sense of normalcy. Schools often serve as community hubs, connecting children and their families to other critical services like school meals, vaccinations and health care.

Education is also the foundation for achieving peacebuilding, economic recovery, climate resilience, public health, gender equality and stronger governance. Education equips young people with the skills and knowledge to adapt to climate change, lead in their communities and challenge harmful norms. Without it, interventions in health, livelihoods and governance will always be less effective, less sustainable and less equitable.

Education is always what local communities in crisis are prioritizing. Parents in refugee camps, teachers in conflict zones, community leaders facing displacement – they consistently choose to invest what little they have in keeping children learning. Not because it’s easy, but because they know it is the single most powerful tool for securing their children’s future. In 2022, household contributions accounted for 25.8% of education spending in low-income countries and, in comparison, donor funding accounted for 12% of total education spending in low-income countries. So, for donors (both public and private sector), this isn’t about leading the way; it’s about getting behind and supporting communities who are already showing us what matters most.

In a time of shrinking aid budgets, protecting and expanding investment in education is not optional; it is the most strategic and cost-effective investment we can make. If we want to solve the world’s greatest challenges, from climate change and public health to economic inequality, we must stand behind communities to invest in education. Failing to act now will deepen instability, escalate humanitarian needs and undermine progress across all global priorities.

ECW: INEE and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) share a commitment to ensuring that all children affected by crises have access to quality, relevant and safe education. What practical steps are needed to turn this shared vision into reality?

Dr. Faiza Hassan: The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) was founded in 2000 on the fundamental right to education. Today, it is a global network of more than 22,000 members affiliated with 4,000 organizations across 190 countries, bringing together practitioners, governments, local and regional civil society, teachers, youth, students and researchers working to secure safe, quality, relevant and equitable education in emergencies and protracted crises.

Together with other partners, INEE helped build the case and momentum for a global fund dedicated to education in emergencies, leading to the creation of ECW. INEE and ECW therefore share not only history, but a complementary role within the EiE architecture. INEE convenes the EiE community, sets shared norms and standards, and builds evidence and capacity; ECW mobilizes and deploys finance to scale delivery. Together, we turn commitments into funded action with partners.

To continue to turn our shared commitment into a lived reality for every girl and boy, I think we need to double down on:

• • Centering local leadership. Communities already know what quality, relevant and safe education looks like in their context. We hear this from INEE members – from a teacher in Uganda, to a grassroots organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a youth-led network in South Sudan – all leading the way in shaping education for their communities. Our role as global actors is not to prescribe, but to back their vision with resources, technical support and political advocacy. That means partnering with national governments, teacher unions, youth-led networks and grassroots education groups as leaders who set the agenda, not as downstream implementers.

 

• • Breaking the humanitarian-development divide. Education in emergencies cannot be a parallel track. It must be embedded into national education planning, policy and financing from day one of a crisis. This is how we ensure that children don’t just have access to school in the short term, but to pathways for lifelong learning.

 

• Financing that matches the scale and duration of the need. While ECW supports fast and flexible funding, we also need to think about flexible financing mechanisms that can adapt to protracted crises and support national systems, while also resourcing the local organizations who are often the first and last responders.

ECW: Localization is essential in delivering on the Grand Bargain Agreements, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the Future. How can we reinforce stronger enabling environments to empower local actors in the education sector?

Dr. Faiza Hassan: To answer this question, we need to start by being clear about what localization is and what it is not.

Localization is not about bringing local actors into the existing humanitarian system; it is about rewiring the system to serve and center them. That distinction matters because the current architecture was never built with local leadership in mind; it was built to manage donor risk, uphold donor priorities, and control resources and decision-making.

We must be honest that retrofitting a system never designed for community-led response will only take us so far. We need to stop asking how to make space for local actors within global structures, and start asking: What would this system look like if it were built from the ground up by the communities we claim to serve?

To create enabling environments in the education sector, we must let go of old assumptions that international actors are best placed to assess, coordinate, define or lead. We must let go of funding models that entrench dependency, and coordination structures that exclude the very people doing the work. Many of INEE’s members speak about rigid compliance frameworks, limited direct access to funding, and an over-reliance on international intermediaries that sideline local leadership. Changing this requires political will and a full structural redesign; technical tweaks will not suffice.

This is where the power of a diverse network matters. When ministries, local authorities, teachers and school leaders, youth and parent groups, grassroots organizations, researchers, funders and the private sector come together, we unlock our shared expertise. Collectively, we can redesign institutions, financing pathways and accountability mechanisms so they serve local actors.

With a diverse coalition, this is a moment of real possibility. The humanitarian reset, the UN at 80, and the global stock take on aid effectiveness offer an opening. We must be bold enough to use it. Our goal cannot be to diversify participation in a system that continues to marginalize; it must be to design one that stands behind and is led by local actors.

ECW: How do investments in girls’ education support efforts to build global security, ensure economic resilience and create more fair and equal societies?

Dr. Faiza Hassan: Investments in girls’ education drive healthier families, stronger economies and more stable societies. Educated girls are healthier, their children are healthier, and they are more likely to participate in the workforce and civic life – which strengthens economic resilience and more equal governance. In crisis contexts, the returns are even greater. Education can delay early marriage, reduce vulnerability to exploitation, and provide skills and networks that help communities recover.

Without education, investments in health, livelihoods, and protection deliver less and do not last. That is why INEE’s Guidance Note on Gender and other gender-responsive tools stress the need to integrate equity and inclusion into every aspect of emergency education planning, from safe learning environments to curriculum, teacher support and community engagement. These resources provide practical ways to ensure that girls’ education in crisis is not only accessible, but relevant, protective and transformative.

Families and communities already understand this, which is why they make sacrifices to keep girls in school. The least we can do is match their commitment with investments that uphold every girl’s right to learn, even in the most challenging circumstances.

ECW: We all know that ‘readers are leaders’ and that reading skills are key to every child’s education. Which three books have most influenced you – personally or professionally – and how have they shaped your perspective on education and resilience?

Dr. Faiza Hassan: Stories help children make sense of the world and find their place in it. They can spark imagination, nurture curiosity and offer comfort. They also build the confidence and continuity that help keep learning alive during times of upheaval.

I have always loved reading. I’ve read thousands of books across different genres, but fantasy and sci-fi have a special place in my heart. Over the years, there are some books that stand out to me, not because of their content, but because of what they gave me at key moments in life.

• •

Majalat Majid:

• A weekly Arabic children’s comic magazine that I read growing up in Yemen, where my family found a new home after leaving Somalia. It was my introduction to stories with familiar characters, humor and adventure, planting the seed for a lifelong love of reading.

 

• •

De Vijf:

• The Dutch translation of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five. I read it shortly after my family was displaced from our home in Taiz and resettled in a small Dutch village. I was ten, and it was the first book I picked up in our local library. More than just a story, it gave me confidence, a foothold in a strange new place, and the sense that maybe things would be okay.

 

• •

And Then There Were None

by Agatha Christie: I read it as a teenager, adapting to yet another new environment. Turning each page without having to stop or translate gave me a quiet but lasting confidence that shaped my belief in my own ability to adapt and thrive.

These books, and so many others, were more than entertainment; they were anchors during moments of transition and a reminder of why access to books can be life-changing for children facing disruption today. Access to age-appropriate storybooks, comics, fantasy series, adventure tales, mystery novels, poetry collections, graphic novels, and even simple magazines help children and adolescents regulate, belong and learn. Books are not just tools for literacy, they are sources of managing uncertainty, connection and hope. If we want girls and boys in crisis to thrive, investments must include access to stories alongside safe schools, trained teachers and predictable financing.

 

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596518 Training on Media Literacy in Urgench (OSCE PCUz/Guzal Fayzieva)

A two-day training session titled "Media Literacy Among Youth as an Effective Tool to Counter Radicalization and Terrorism" was held in Urgench on August 19–20. The event was organized by the Centre for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan, which is implementing partner of  theOSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan  (PCUz) and supported by the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan.

The training gathered journalists, bloggers, and NGO representatives to strengthen their skills in identifying disinformation and promoting responsible media practices. Participants discussed critical thinking, fact-checking, digital tools and cybersecurity, while engaging in practical sessions and exchanging ideas for future collaboration.

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of youth media literacy in today's digital world:

“Developing media literacy is not just about identifying fake news, it’s about developing critical thinking and responsible engagement with all sources of information, regardless of age,” said Antti Karttunen.

He also highlighted the OSCE’s holistic approach to countering terrorism and radicalization, which includes enhancing media literacy as a key preventive measure. This approach is grounded in human rights, the rule of law, and inclusive cooperation involving state institutions, civil society, and the media - all essential in ensuring an informed and resilient youth capable of resisting extremist narratives.

This training is part of the OSCE PCUz' wider project on assisting Uzbekistan in countering terrorism within its politico-military dimension, and is one of several initiatives held across the country to build a safer, more informed digital environment for young people. Similar training events will be continues in other regions.

The international landscape in mid-2025 is characterized by a retreat from liberal institutionalism, exemplified by the United States' withdrawal from the Sustainable Development Goals and its adoption of transactional, power-based international relations, as well as its potential withdrawal from some multilateral bodies. In this context, this paper argues that traditional models of universal multilateralism are increasingly untenable, and that new forms of collective action grounded in shared interests and normative alignment are both necessary and feasible. This paper revisits and applies the historically rooted concept of “like-minded internationalism,” arguing for its renewed relevance under current geopolitical conditions.

The international landscape in mid-2025 is characterized by a retreat from liberal institutionalism, exemplified by the United States' withdrawal from the Sustainable Development Goals and its adoption of transactional, power-based international relations, as well as its potential withdrawal from some multilateral bodies. In this context, this paper argues that traditional models of universal multilateralism are increasingly untenable, and that new forms of collective action grounded in shared interests and normative alignment are both necessary and feasible. This paper revisits and applies the historically rooted concept of “like-minded internationalism,” arguing for its renewed relevance under current geopolitical conditions.

The international landscape in mid-2025 is characterized by a retreat from liberal institutionalism, exemplified by the United States' withdrawal from the Sustainable Development Goals and its adoption of transactional, power-based international relations, as well as its potential withdrawal from some multilateral bodies. In this context, this paper argues that traditional models of universal multilateralism are increasingly untenable, and that new forms of collective action grounded in shared interests and normative alignment are both necessary and feasible. This paper revisits and applies the historically rooted concept of “like-minded internationalism,” arguing for its renewed relevance under current geopolitical conditions.

Kalpana Rai, Rachana Sanani, Anita Rana -- members of Ruru Multipurpose Cooperative, Nepal. Credit: Heifer International

By Neena Joshi and Balasubramanian Iyer
KATHMANDU, Nepal / NEW DELHI, India, Aug 21 2025 (IPS)

“The future of agriculture lies not in the hands of a few giants, but in the joint hands of many.”

This quote captures the spirit of farmer cooperatives—values-driven, collectively run enterprises rooted in solidarity and self-help. As global food systems grow more fragile and inequitable, cooperatives offer a compelling model: putting people before profits, and communities before corporations, while advancing social equity, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

Globally, more than 1 billion people—about 12% of the world’s population are members of over 3 million cooperatives. The largest 300 cooperatives report an annual turnover exceeding USD 2.4 trillion, nearly 2.3% of global GDP.

These cooperatives provide job opportunities for 280 million people—roughly 10% of the world’s employed population (World Cooperative Monitor, 2023). Notably, 105 of the top 300 cooperatives operate in the agriculture sector, operating across the agricultural value. chains.

By organizing through cooperatives, smallholder farmers amplify their voice and bargaining power. By pooling resources, they build collective capital and reduce dependence on external funding—especially vital in today’s shrinking development-aid landscape. The cooperative model enables farmers to emerge as a thriving, resilient workforce, thereby transforming food systems.

India’s iconic Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) illustrates this well. Formed in 1946, AMUL played a central role in India’s White Revolution and is now part of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). AMUL ensures 80% of prices paid by consumers go directly to the farmers—empowering over 3.6 million milk producers, many of them women who’ve gained financial independence and acquired leadership roles.

Rashida Begum, member of Nawdagram Nari Agrogoti Samity in Bangladesh. Credit: Heifer International

Other powerful examples in Asia include Japan’s National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Association, known as Zen-Noh, and South Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) or NongHyup. Zen-Noh represents over 1,000 agricultural cooperatives in Japan and plays a central role in procuring inputs, distributing products, and exporting Japanese rice and other produce internationally.

It exemplifies how cooperative federations can integrate vertically and optimize logistics, marketing, and innovation to serve their members.

In South Korea, NongHyup serves around 2.5 million farmer-members across more than 1,100 local cooperatives. As one of the world’s largest multipurpose cooperatives, it combines agricultural marketing, banking, insurance, and technical support.

Through its financial services arm alone, NongHyup supports over 70% of the country’s population, making it a linchpin of rural development and economic security.

Nonprofit organizations also play a critical role in enabling farmer cooperatives to thrive. Heifer International in Asia, active in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, supports farmer cooperatives through training, market integration, and financial access as the core of its program model. These efforts not only boost productivity but also position farmers as agents of change.

Heifer’s work with apex cooperative bodies like Nepal’s Social Entrepreneurs Women’s Alliance (SEWA) and Cambodia’s Social Entrepreneurs Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (SEUAC) is transforming the agricultural landscape. SEWA represents women-led cooperatives, advancing inclusive policy advocacy, innovation, and market access.

In Cambodia, SEUAC, formed with government support in 2021, unites 22 cooperatives across six provinces, benefiting over 12,000 farmers through improved services, infrastructure, and representation.

Tulsi Thapa, President of Bihani Social Entrepreneurs Women’s Cooperative in Nepal and SEWA’s Central Joint Secretary, is one such changemaker. “I come from a humble farming family and never imagined I’d lead hundreds of women,” she says. A Heifer initiative in 2012 catalysed her journey from subsistence farming to cooperative leadership.

Today, Bihani has over 1,400 members and an annual turnover exceeding USD 540,000. The cooperative has diversified into dairy, goat trading and livestock feed, with access to over USD 198,000 in affordable loans.

Yet challenges remain—from limited access to insurance and fair markets to deep-rooted gender norms. “Progress starts with agriculture,” Tulsi says. “Farmer-friendly cooperatives can spark rural economic revolutions.”

Smallholder farmers do more than feed the world—they help heal it. As climate change continues to destabilize agriculture, cooperatives foster climate-smart, regenerative practices that build community resilience.

Their impact directly advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The global community is beginning to recognize the cooperative potential. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”

In response, Heifer in Asia, in collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), has launched a regional campaign: Seeding Strength: Empowering Farmer Cooperatives.

Spanning Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, the campaign showcases cooperatives as drivers of the three P’s – people, profits and planet, with a clarion call to attract resources in strengthening the cooperative model in Asia.

Nevertheless, cooperatives cannot transform food systems alone—they need an enabling ecosystem. Governments must design supportive policies, while financial institutions create inclusive products tailored to smallholders, especially women.

The private sector can modernize supply chains and introduce sustainable technologies, and NGOs play a vital role in building local capacity and visibility. Media, academia, and engaged citizens also have a role in championing cooperatives—not merely as business units, but as transformative forces for rural upliftment.

As we commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, now is the time to recognize and resource farmer cooperatives as essential players in building a just, food-secure, and climate-resilient future where no one is left behind.

Neena Joshi is the Senior Vice President – Asia Programs at Heifer International. With over 20 years of experience, she leads initiatives to build inclusive, sustainable agrifood systems and empower smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, across Asia.

Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer is the Regional Director of the Asia-Pacific office of the International Cooperative Alliance. He has over three decades of experience in international development, with a focus on cooperative development and regional operations across Asia.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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