UNICAFES-RS, founded in 2006, aims to represent, coordinate, promote, and provide services to its member cooperatives. It proposes and coordinates laws and public policies to benefit cooperatives and generate economic and social development. It contributes to the promotion of sustainable development, in the production, industrialization, and marketing of healthy foods with a view to food and nutritional security. It coordinates inter-cooperative projects and businesses, combining solidarity credit, cooperative education, and sustainable development.
UNICAFES-RS is also organized within SINDICOPAS (Union of Family Farming and Solidarity Economy Cooperatives), which aims to study, coordinate, protect, and legally represent the economic category of cooperatives. Furthermore, it intends to collaborate with public authorities, associations, and trade union entities of all levels, promoting social solidarity and the development of cooperatives.
Mission
To transform family farming cooperatives and the solidarity economy into a tool for sustainable development through representation, networking, education, and service provision.
Scope
Throughout the state, its membership base includes more than 60 cooperatives operating in dozens of municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, totaling more than 170,000 member families in the following sectors: agriculture, credit, housing, electrification, and services.
Services
REPRESENTATION AND ARTICULATION
We represent and mediate the demands of cooperatives with the Federal and State Governments, State and Federal Deputies, Senators, and national and international partner entities.
We develop and propose public policies through laws and programs to benefit and strengthen cooperatives and society.
We promote the leading role of family farming cooperatives and the solidarity economy in development.
sustainable.
Cooperative Education
We promote postgraduate courses and training courses for leaders, employees, and managers of cooperatives with the aim of forming a network of professionals in the various areas of cooperativism.
We spread the message of cooperativism through publications and events.
GENDER AND YOUTH
We develop actions for the social and economic empowerment of women and young people in the cooperative movement. We encourage the participation of women and young people in the management of cooperatives through training and capacity building.
PRODUCTION AND MARKET
We advocate for the economic and social development of cooperatives in the following phases: production, industry, and commerce.
We work towards the autonomy of cooperatives, advocating for specific laws and certifications.
We coordinate the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and the National School Feeding Program (PNAE).
We encourage cooperative markets, fair markets, farmers' markets, and agroecological production.
We discussed cooperation strategies to expand the volume of business in cooperatives with a view to gaining a foothold in different markets.
We develop inter-cooperative strategies and business deals.
We advocate for the sustainability of cooperatives across their various production chains.
We encourage strategies to promote low-carbon agriculture in order to advance agricultural and environmental sustainability by implementing new technologies and products.
SOLIDARITY CREDIT
We are working to expand the CRESOL credit system.
We conduct financial studies and education with our members.
We promote credit through sustainable production.
MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES
We encourage and coordinate business feasibility studies.
We provide advisory and consulting services to our member cooperatives.
PARTNERSHIPS
Unicopas, Sindicopas, public and private universities, legislative and executive branches, and private entities that engage with the themes of cooperative farming, family farming, and the solidarity economy.
Unicafes Rio Grande do Sul
Henrique Schwerin Street, No. 499, Back
Erechim – Rio Grande do Sul. Postal Code: 99.700-408
Telephone: (54) 3522-3912/ 3522-3928
Email: unicafesrs@unicafesrs.coop.br
