Our History

The National Union of Cooperatives of Family Agriculture and Solidarity Economy (UNICAFES) was founded in June 2005, in Luziânia, state of Goiás, Brazil. UNICAFES was created to represent and strengthen solidarity-based cooperatives formed by family farmers, traditional communities, land reform settlements, and other rural populations committed to inclusive and sustainable development.

UNICAFES is a non-profit national organization that promotes social and economic inclusion through rural development, income generation, food production, improvement of livelihoods and quality of life, biodiversity preservation, and the reduction of social and regional inequalities.

Today, UNICAFES is present in 21 Brazilian states, representing a network of approximately 1,500 cooperatives, involving more than 1 million family farming households. These cooperatives operate in various branches such as: credit, production, labor, commercialization, and infrastructure.

UNICAFES is organized by state-level federations, working in partnership to provide specialized support and advocacy that promote public policies aligned with the principles of solidarity economy and sustainable local development.

The organization is guided by a commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment, both established in its bylaws, ensuring that women and young people play leading roles in cooperative governance and development.

UNICAFES also actively participates in important national forums and councils, such as the National Council for Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA), the National Council for Sustainable Rural Development (CONDRAF), and the National Forum on Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Mission

To strengthen solidarity economy cooperativism by representing the interests of family farming cooperatives and offering specialized services that promote integrated sustainable development — socially, economically, and environmentally — with equity in gender, race, generation, and ethnicity.

Vision

To be a national and international reference in solidarity-based cooperativism, grounded in social inclusion, democracy, and sustainability.

Principles and Values

People at the center

Democratic participation

Solidarity and ethics

Autonomy and plurality

Equity across gender, race, generation, and ethnicity

Network-based organization and intercooperation

Transparency and sustainability

Defense of life, rights, and the environment

Commitment to resilience and the fight against inequality and discrimination

International Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships

Throughout its 19-year trajectory, UNICAFES has built strong partnerships with national and international organizations, public institutions, and civil society actors. Notably, the organization is a partner in technical cooperation projects with the European Union and the Belgian NGO TRIAS, supporting capacity-building, innovation, and inclusive economic development.

UNICAFES also works in collaboration with:

National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES)

Ministry of Labor and Employment

Ministry of Social Development

Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture

National Service of Cooperative Learning (SESCOOP)

UNICOPAS (National Union of Solidarity Economy Cooperative Organizations)

CONTAG (National Confederation of Agricultural Workers)

Conexus

REAF/MERCOSUL (Specialized Meeting on Family Farming of MERCOSUR)

FAO, IICA, AgriCord, among others.

UNICAFES continues to expand its impact by promoting inclusive markets, agroecological transitions, and sustainable food systems in Brazil and internationally.