ICA Adds 63 Inscriptions to Cooperative Cultural Heritage List
On October 8, 2026, the International Cooperative Alliance announced 63 new inscriptions to its Cooperative Cultural Heritage List during its Global Conference in Panama. This expansion brings the total to 95 inscriptions, celebrating diverse cooperative heritage, including the culture of Jeju’s women divers and Switzerland’s traditional irrigation practices. The event highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting living cultural traditions through cooperative efforts.
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) added 63 new entries to its Cooperative Cultural Heritage List during the Global Conference in Panama on October 8, 2026. This expansion brings the total number of recognized sites and traditions to 95, spanning 39 countries. Tiago Schmidt, Chairperson of the ICA Working Group on Cooperative Cultural Heritage, shared the news at an event titled "Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World." These new additions showcase a wide array of cooperative traditions, from the deep-sea practices of Jeju’s women divers in South Korea to the seasonal alpine pasture traditions of Switzerland. Through these recognitions, the ICA highlights the role collective action plays in managing resources and preserving local culture.
Established during the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, the Cooperative Cultural Heritage (CCH) program documents the institutions and customs born from cooperative movements. The project draws inspiration from UNESCO’s 2016 decision to include cooperative practices in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. By linking historical memory with education and exchange, the CCH program presents cooperation as a living practice that continues to grow alongside the communities that use it.
The ceremony included a special tribute to Panama’s own Cooperativa de Servicios Múltiples Artesanías Sombrero Pinta’o del Norte de Penonomé, R.L. This organization is instrumental in protecting the heritage of the Pinta’o hat. Members of the cooperative attended the event, representing the local custodians who keep these traditions alive. The Pinta’o hat illustrates how cultural identity, economic stability, and community bonds can be woven together through a cooperative structure that supports local artisans.
These new inscriptions emphasize how cooperative models help transfer knowledge and maintain traditions between generations. They demonstrate how organized collaboration can provide access to resources and allow for democratic involvement in cultural preservation. This work aligns with the Food and Agriculture Organization's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) program, which honors agricultural methods developed through traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
Moving forward, the ICA intends to grow the Cooperative Cultural Heritage List and bring more attention to the role cooperatives play in global heritage. Future plans involve deeper documentation and closer work with local communities to ensure their customs remain sustainable. This ongoing effort serves to broaden the understanding of cooperative movements as essential elements of cultural identity and community strength.
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