The Government of Brazil has made Law 15,433/2026 public, recognising cooperativism as a manifestation of national culture and highlighting the historical contribution of cooperatives to the country’s social, economic and community development.
The Law, sanctioned in June and enacted without vetoes, highlights principles associated with the cooperative model, such as mutual aid, democratic participation, shared responsibility and collective development. In this way, cooperativism is no longer considered solely from its business and economic dimension, but is also recognised as a cultural expression linked to communities.
The new law also recognises the role of public institutions in supporting and promoting cooperative activity. The measure is part of an international movement aimed at documenting and protecting cooperative heritage.
Brazil’s recognition also connects with an earlier international initiative. In 2016, UNESCO included on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity the practice and idea of organising shared interests through cooperatives.
The cultural dimension of cooperativism is also linked to the transmission of knowledge and values between generations.
A historic moment for cooperativism
According to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the Brazilian decision strengthens the international debate on the need to incorporate cooperative heritage into cultural and sustainable development policies.
The recognition comes at a time when the ICA, through its Cooperative Cultural Heritage project, is working to identify, safeguard and promote the tangible and intangible heritage of cooperativism throughout the world.
This project was launched in 2025 during the UN International Year of Cooperatives and began with an inaugural list of 32 cooperative heritage sites in 25 countries, presented through a world map.
