UNICAFES-TO is a private legal entity, organized as an association for non-profit purposes, with an indefinite duration, in accordance with the terms of its bylaws, with the objective of representing the state and developing support actions for cooperatives and organizations associated with it. Its main objective is the representation of family farming and solidarity economy cooperatives in the state of Tocantins.
PURPOSE
The basic purposes of UNICAFES/TO are:
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To articulate, integrate, and represent cooperative organizations in family farming and the solidarity economy of Tocantins, aligned with processes of sustainable local development;
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To develop actions aimed at fostering closer ties and integration among the associated entities;
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To enable specialized actions and advisory services in diverse economic, financial, administrative, accounting, cooperative, and environmental sustainability matters at the state, national, and international levels;
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To establish partnerships and agreements with public and private entities, both national and international, to meet the needs of its members.
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To promote cooperative education and the development of the solidarity economy.
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To promote exchange with similar entities.
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To promote and support actions aimed at economic and social development, job and income generation, and combating social inequalities.
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To conduct studies and research, develop technologies, produce and disseminate technical and scientific information and knowledge related to the activities mentioned in the other objectives.
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To promote ethics, peace, citizenship, human rights, democracy, and other universal values.
HISTORY OF CREATION
The first debates regarding the creation of UNICAFES/TO emerged in 2012, promoted by COOPTER, through its general assemblies and discussion forums related to the topic, along with social movements. In 2015, COOPTER spearheaded the discussion about the creation of Unicafes Tocantins. And on December 5th of that same year, the assembly was held in Palmas/TO, where the National Union of Family Farming and Solidarity Economy Cooperatives of the State of Tocantins – UNICAFES/TO – was established, with the participation of 9 founding cooperatives.
ASSOCIATED COOPERATIVES
Currently, UNICAFES/TO has 10 (ten) associated cooperatives, covering 16 (sixteen) municipalities in the following Regions: North: 03, Far North (Bico do Papagaio): 05, Northeast: 01 and Center: 02.
REPRESENTATION
UNICAFES/TO carries out actions to represent its affiliated cooperatives before public and private institutions, executive and legislative bodies at the federal, state and municipal levels, proposing partnerships, contributing to the drafting of bills, building strategies and programs to promote and strengthen its affiliates, contributing to the strengthening of solidarity-based cooperativism in Tocantins and Brazil.
Unicafes acts as a representative entity for its affiliates, focusing its activities on organizational, management, and commercialization processes. Therefore, its actions are directed towards areas of organizational management; accounting/tax management; commercial/business management; project development/management; legal advice; and productive organization.
PARTNERSHIP AND CLOSENESS RELATIONSHIPS
UNICAFES/TO has been seeking to strengthen its actions through the establishment of partnerships and close relationships with various organizational segments of civil society, government, and educational institutions. It develops actions to strengthen cooperatives through partnerships with various actors: Federal Government (Ministries), State Government, Municipal Government (Secretariats), Public and Private Institutions, as well as Civil Society Organizations.
ACTIONS TAKEN
Contribution to the execution of the PECSOL Project in Tocantins: COOPTER BICO was the executing entity of the PECSOL Project – Solidarity Cooperativism Education Program, in the states of Tocantins, Maranhão, Rio de Janeiro, and Pará. The program was carried out virtually, with actions in the distance learning format, and in-person training actions focused on management and governance areas. UNICAFES/TO contributed to the execution of the project in Tocantins through the coordination of participants, the search for partnerships, and the participation of its directors in the training modules.
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Support for affiliated cooperatives in the processes of organization, management, and marketing.
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Guidance and support for general meetings, drafting of minutes, amendment of articles of association, and registration with the Commercial Registry.
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Guidance on internal organization and updating of membership records for cooperatives.
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Support for affiliated cooperatives in the marketing processes of their production, in institutional and private markets, at the local, regional and state levels.
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Conducting Business Roundtables for family farming with the participation of affiliated cooperatives and those responsible for institutional purchases in the state and municipalities.
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Technical training activities (courses, workshops, seminars).
