Train-the-Trainer: My.COOP for Agricultural Cooperative Development

Content This Train-the-Trainer project is rooted in the My.COOP (Managing Your Agricultural Cooperative) program, developed by the ILO and FAO. It aims to build a network of local trainers who will deliver structured cooperative training to farmers, youth groups, and community members.

Core Modules and Methods:

Participant Empowerment & Icebreakers: Practical introductions, peer interviews, and cooperative experience timelines to build rapport.

Basic Cooperative Concepts & Principles: Engaging cube activities to explore cooperative principles in local contexts.

Dual Role of Members: Discussions and interactive exercises to understand members as both owners and users.

Governance & Leadership: Brainstorming on cooperative governance challenges and agency issues, emphasizing inclusiveness, gender, and capacity.

Needs Assessment & Prioritization: Visual tools like mental mapping and sticky-note voting to evaluate and prioritize service needs of cooperative members.

SWOT Analysis: Groups conduct real SWOT assessments to decide whether services should be provided directly or outsourced.

Service Provider Evaluation: Comparing affordability, accessibility, and availability across cooperative and third-party providers.

Input Management & Collective Marketing: Case studies and role-play scenarios analyzing value chains, logistics, and marketing strategies.

Strategic Marketing (5Ps): Interactive board game on Product, Price, Promotion, Place, and People to deepen marketing understanding.

Certification & Market Readiness: Fishbowl discussions on organic, Fairtrade, and other certification schemes, exploring their pros and cons.

Delivery Format

8–10 Days of In-Person Training

Flipcharts, breakout sessions, cube and dice games

Certificates for all trainer graduates

Delivered by certified My.COOP Master Trainers