Center for Coop Leadership and Innovation

The Center for Cooperative Leadership and Innovation (CCLI) is an initiative of the Asian School of Governance, dedicated to empowering cooperative leaders to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving world. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to build adaptive cooperatives and thriving cooperative ecosystems, fostering inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Asia.

Through a blend of capacity-building programs, co-creation labs, and ecosystem-strengthening initiatives, we equip cooperative leaders with the tools, strategies, and innovative thinking needed to transform their organizations into adaptive and resilient institutions.

The Adaptive Challenges Facing Cooperatives in Asia

Cooperatives across Asia are critical drivers of social and economic equity. Yet, they face a range of adaptive challenges in today's dynamic landscape, including:

• Digital Transformation: Embracing technology to streamline operations, expand outreach, and enhance member engagement.

• Climate Change and Sustainability: Innovating to ensure resilience in agriculture, fisheries, and energy coops amid a changing climate.

• Market Competitiveness: Addressing the rise of corporate players in traditionally cooperative-led sectors like microfinance and agriculture.

• Generational Leadership Transitions: Developing a new cadre of leaders who can adapt to changing member needs and societal expectations.

• Policy and Regulation: Navigating complex and often outdated cooperative policies while advocating for reforms that support innovation and growth.

These challenges require leaders who can think systemically, work collaboratively, and adapt continuously—hallmarks of the leadership development approach at the CCLI.

Our Approach

The Center for Cooperative Leadership and Innovation is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through:

1. Leadership Programs for Adaptive Coops

   • Training cooperative leaders to address complex, systemic challenges using frameworks like Adaptive Leadership and Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA).

   • Building the capacity of leaders to foster inclusivity, empower members, and co-create solutions with stakeholders.

2. Strengthening the Cooperative Ecosystem

   • Convening multi-stakeholder dialogues to align cooperatives, policymakers, and financial institutions toward shared goals.

   • Facilitating knowledge-sharing and best practices across the region to inspire collective innovation.

3. Innovation through Collaboration

   • Co-Creation Labs: The Center collaborates with specialized co-creation labs to design and test innovative solutions for the cooperative sector. Labs include:

     • Digital Coop Lab: Exploring the use of AI, blockchain, and digital platforms for cooperatives.

     • Climate Action Labs: Developing adaptive strategies for sustainability and resilience.

     • Financial Inclusion Lab: Advancing access to capital and financial tools for underserved communities.

www1.asianschoolofgovernance.com/1/cocreation-labs 

3. • These labs bring together cooperative leaders, academic researchers, technologists, and grassroots members to experiment, prototype, and scale transformative ideas.

Why Choose the CCLI?

1. Regional Expertise: Rooted in the Asian context, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing cooperatives across the region.

2. Practical and Scalable Solutions: Our programs emphasize actionable strategies that cooperatives can implement and scale within their ecosystems.

3. Network of Changemakers: Join a community of leaders, innovators, and practitioners committed to shaping the future of the cooperative movement.