GICS-Building Trust Together
At the Global Innovation Coop Summit, this workshop explored how cooperatives can strengthen international partnerships to share resources, expand their reach, and deepen mutual impact.  From knowledge exchange and trade relationships to digital collaboration and joint advocacy, global cooperation allows us to transform local success into collective progress.  Participants reflected on how trust, reciprocity, and shared values remain at the heart of every successful partnership — especially in an era when digital tools and global challenges require new forms of solidarity.  The question for all of us now is: what does a truly impactful international cooperative partnership look like in practice?

How can cooperatives build and sustain strong international partnerships that are grounded in trust, reciprocity, and shared purpose?

Some things to consider in the discussion:
Challenge:  What cultural, financial, or logistical barriers make it difficult to maintain equitable partnerships across regions or sectors?
Opportunities:  What cooperative models or mechanisms can help create enduring, mutually beneficial relationships across borders?
Intercooperation and Innovation:  How might we use digital platforms and cooperative principles to make international collaboration more transparent, scalable, and inclusive?