Institutions and Ecosystem
The partners a cooperative needs around it — universities, TVET centres, faith institutions and county government — and what each brings.
For: universities, TVET centres, churches and community organisations, policy makers.
From the ward to the county
Institutions that already exist in a ward feed one collection point, and that collection point feeds the county. Nothing in this chain needs to be invented — it needs to be connected.
The three topics below cover universities and TVET centres, faith institutions, and the consortium model that ties them together. The first is published here in full; the other two are summaries.
28. The Role of Universities and TVET Centres
Deliberate partnerships between cooperatives and Universities with TVET Centres could yield continued creation of sustainable jobs for youths and effective orientation of youths in and out of school to best-practice cooperation for self-help through mutual help. This section explains: The Cooperative University Eco-system; Why Cooperatives, TVET centres and Universities are strategic promoters of employment opportunities; Need for creating innovations and inventions for transforming Wards as employment hubs; Importance of Cooperatives-Universities and TVETs partnerships and Linkages; Relevance of assistive devices; Reasons for Universities/TVET Partnerships With International Counterpart Universities And Cooperatives; Role Of National Government In Strengthening Universities/TVETs Operations And Relevance; Roles of County Governments in strengthening Cooperatives/Universities/TVETs Linkages; How To Capacity-Build The Co-operatives, TVET And Universities’ Partnerships; and Opportunities For Promoting Inter-University Cooperation For Development And Growth.
29. Cooperatives–Faith Institutions Ecosystem
Most members of faith-based institutions engage in on-farm and off-farm economic activities. They are potential members of target value chain-specific cooperatives at the primary (village/ward), secondary (sub-county/county), and federation (national) levels. They play a significant role in imparting knowledge in values-based management systems, youth inclusion, job creation and raising incomes. This section explains: the opportunities for creating jobs in a faith institution-cooperative ecosystem; the consequences of low productivity; the overall objective of strengthening the Ecosystem; Target Groups; Implementation approach; Strategic Partners; Overall Outcome Vision; and specific objectives for strengthening the church-cooperative ecosystem.
30. Model Cooperatives-Led Jobs Creation
For cooperatives to reclaim their rightful position in creating jobs, a transformative approach in building capacities is necessary. This section explains the strategic components, which are: The Consortium approach; Working as One; Key Areas of Intervention; Production and Productivity Enhancement; Jobs Creation Across Value Chains; Value Addition and Industrial Development; Financial Inclusion and Investment Mobilisation; Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation; Expected Outcomes; and The Ultimate Vision.
Source: Job Creation Opportunities (Shirikiana handbook, in preparation), contents of August 2026. Summaries are published as chapters are finalised.
Ready to partner?
Each topic here is a summary of a chapter from our handbooks. Tell us where your institution fits and we will point you to the right people.
Shirikiana —> to work with one another. The founding values of the cooperative movement, self-help, self-responsibility and solidarity, remain the most practical basis for collective enterprise. We join knowledge, applied action and ethical responsibility in member-owned, member-governed enterprise, guided by the International Cooperative Alliance’s principle of concern for community. We proceed incrementally, attribute every partner by name, and distinguish demonstrated capacity from stated intent.