CARER COOPERATIVES: empowering carers and strengthening communities for a sustainable future

Jan 22, 2025

Carer Cooperatives are not just financial institutions; they are transformative lifelines for communities, empowering individuals—especially women—to break free from poverty and marginalization. By promoting economic independence, solidarity, and advocacy, CCs are paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for carers and their families.

LEADS Nepal is dedicated to expanding this powerful model, ensuring that no carer is left behind in the journey towards empowerment and opportunity.

How do Carer Cooperatives empower individuals and strengthen communities?

They empower individuals and strengthen communities through a holistic approach that addresses both economic and social needs.

1. Economic Empowerment: Offering carers opportunities for Income Generating Activities, fostering financial independence, and reducing stigma, particularly for women.

2. Training & Capacity Building: Providing essential skills in governance, financial management, and advocacy to help carers manage cooperatives and advocate for their rights.

3. Access to Resources: Facilitating revolving funds and connections to government schemes and microfinance, supporting carers in sustaining income-generating activities.

4. Networking & Advocacy: Empowering cooperatives to engage with local governments, advocating for carers' needs and promoting mental health and socio-economic security.

What's the impact of Cooperatives?

Cooperatives have a significant impact on individuals and communities by driving positive change in various ways:

• Financial Empowerment by encouraging saving habits and fostering participation in income generating activities, Cooperatives help reduce poverty and build long-term financial stability.
• Women’s Inclusion with 71% of female members benefiting from these programs, cooperatives enable women to achieve financial independence and security, helping to bridge gender gaps in economic participation.
• Advocacy and Solidarity enable cooperatives to amplify carers' voices, ensuring their concerns are reflected in local development agendas and government programs that promote their rights and needs.
• Economic security is achieved by supporting carers in establishing sustainable livelihoods, with cooperatives fostering community and collective strength to create a more secure future for members and their families.
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LEADS Nepal's Cooperatives and their impact

LEADS established two cooperatives in the districts of Baglung and Myagdi in 2016, and a new cooperative is currently being set up in the district of Nawalpur. Through these cooperatives:

• 195 active savings accounts have been established in Baglung, and 210 in Myagdi, promoting financial responsibility and creating new economic opportunities.
• 1,165 carers have received microloans ranging from NPR 20,000 to NPR 100,000, enabling them to launch and sustain income-generating activities.
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These savings accounts and microloans have had a remarkable impact, not only empowering carers but also driving economic growth.

Additionally, the Carers Agri-Product Business, a registered entity in Kathmandu, has been established to help collectively brand and market the products made by carers, allowing them to reach larger markets and maximize their economic impact.

Sustainability and empowerment of Carer Cooperatives

The sustainability of the cooperatives is rooted in their formal registration, which provides carers with a recognized platform to engage with local governments and stakeholders.

LEADS Nepal focuses on building the capacity of carers, preparing them for long-term self-reliance and effective advocacy. The ultimate goal is for these cooperatives to operate independently, with the skills and resources needed to thrive without ongoing support from LEADS.

Future goals for Carer Cooperatives

The project aims to expand and connect district-level carer cooperatives into regional cooperatives, amplifying their collective influence and bargaining power.

It also seeks to broaden inclusion by establishing new cooperatives in targeted districts, with a focus on women and marginalized groups.

Additionally, the project will enhance advocacy by using CCs as platforms to advance carers' rights and achieve long-term financial independence.

LEADS Nepal is committed to expanding this transformative model, ensuring that carers are recognized, supported, and empowered for a sustainable future.