WILLEMSTAD – The Ministry of Economic Development (MEO), led by Minister Roderick Middelhof, has launched a new public awareness campaign focused on the seven principles of cooperatives, aiming to promote a more inclusive and sustainable economic model in Curaçao.
The campaign, titled “The 7 Principles that Inspire Cooperatives,” will run for seven weeks, with each week dedicated to one of the core principles that guide the global cooperative movement. It is being rolled out through social media platforms and follows a series of cooperative-related activities organized by MEO in 2025 as part of the Year of Cooperatives.
According to the ministry, cooperatives play a key role in building a social, inclusive, and sustainable economy. They bring together individuals and communities, create jobs, stimulate innovation, and strengthen solidarity.
Minister Middelhof emphasized that cooperatives are not only a form of organization but also a strategic tool to diversify Curaçao’s economy and increase citizen participation in economic activities.
The seven cooperative principles highlighted in the campaign are: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; economic participation by members; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for the community.
“We want an economy where more people can actively participate and benefit from growth,” Middelhof said. “Cooperatives offer real opportunities for communities to organize themselves, generate income, and contribute to the development of their environment.”
The campaign is aligned with broader government priorities, including economic diversification, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting local communities, and promoting social innovation.
MEO is encouraging the public to follow and engage with the campaign via its Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Residents interested in learning more about cooperatives or becoming members can contact local organizations such as FEKOSKAN (Federation of Credit Unions), FKUP (Federation of United Production Cooperatives), and FESK (Foundation for Social Economy Curaçao), which provide support and information on cooperative development.