Cooperation Canada: A Legacy of Impact
Founded in 1968, Cooperation Canada (formerly the Canadian Council for International Cooperation), was built on a bold mission: to end global poverty and to promote social justice and human dignity for all through collaboration and advocacy.
For decades, we have brought civil society together, forging strong relationships with government and partners to influence policy, engage the public, and drive change. Our early efforts focused on direct advocacy at global humanitarian conferences, ensuring Canadian leadership in development and human rights.
In 2008–2009, a financial crisis hit when the government cut funding to civil society, halting support for environmental and human rights initiatives. With its primary revenue source eliminated, CCIC faced a turning point.
A full-scale restructuring followed, transforming the organization into a fully independent, member-driven coalition. By prioritizing member services and diversifying funding, we emerged stronger and more resilient.
In 2018, we seized the opportunity to evolve further. Through McMillan’s Betterful project, we undertook a complete rebrand, and in October 2020, CCIC became Cooperation Canada—a name reflecting our commitment to collaboration, impact, and a fairer, more sustainable world.