Cooperation among co-operatives

‘COOPERATION AMONG Co-operatives’. This is one of the principles guiding the co-operative movement and which is exemplified by the St Elizabeth Co-operative Credit Union (STECCUL).

In recent times the credit union took on the task of engaging community groups to explore the possibility of developing the leadership skills of individuals in these communities. The objective was to improve their quality of life by implementing and managing income generating projects. The type of assistance provided by STECCUL included financial, by way of loans and organisational by way of training. The credit union also established linkages with organisations such as Grace Food providing the markets, and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) providing technical assistance.

The credit union began working with the New Building Multipurpose Co-operative in 2013 to revive their production and strengthen the organisation. In so doing, the credit union pulled on the experience of other Co-operatives and farmers groups, and the National Union of Co-operative Societies to assist New Building with their needs. The technical expertise of RADA was also solicited by the credit union to assist with developing a business plan for New Building.

The St Elizabeth Agricultural Co-operative, a co-operative involved in the cultivation of seedlings for the citrus industry, secured financial assistance by way of a loan from the credit union to transplant seedlings at their facilities in Potsdam, St Elizabeth.

It should be noted that the Bright River Co-op has also adopted the principle of cooperation among co-operatives, by associating with New Building Co-op, also in an attempt to strengthen that organisation.

The credit union has formed partnerships with various community/economic groups. A perfect example of this is by working with New Forest/Duff House Agro Parks to provide each farmer in the programme with the funding needed to cultivate one acre of his chosen crop.

Over the years the St

Elizabeth Co-operative Credit Union has taken the initiative to partner with a number of co-operatives and economic groups within the parish, including, among others:

Bright River Multipurpose Co-operative Society

New Building Multipurpose Co-operative Society

St Elizabeth Agricultural Co-operative Society Potsdam Carrot Farmers Association St Elizabeth Dairy Development Co-operative

Christiana Potato Growers Co-operative.

Some of these co-operatives and associations have had their challenges over the period. Nevertheless, the end result in all cases is an improvement in the quality of lives of the members involved. The association of the St Elizabeth Co-operative Credit Union with these organisations exemplifies our motto of being ‘Your Leader in Changing Lives’.