Fiji is making significant strides in enhancing its cooperative sector with the revitalization of the Cooperative College in Lami. This initiative, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth, is set to provide communities with essential skills through accredited training programs. Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel revealed that the current financial year has earmarked approximately $225,000 for renovations, with further development planned in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works.
The Cooperative College is envisioned as a pivotal institution for empowering youth and women to engage in cooperative ventures and small businesses. Immanuel underscored the importance of the college in enabling individuals to obtain accredited qualifications, thus transforming them into proficient cooperative managers and entrepreneurs. This endeavor is expected to significantly contribute to economic progress in local communities, villages, and provinces.
The college’s five-year plan focuses on becoming a fully accredited training hub, offering a variety of programs including Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees in cooperative management. The innovative approach of hybrid learning, which incorporates both classroom and online training, aims to broaden access to education, particularly for rural and remote populations.
This revival aligns with a larger trend in Fiji, where there has been an ongoing commitment to empower cooperative groups through various initiatives. For instance, training programs recently conducted for cooperative members from Narocake and Muana-i-Ra have focused on governance, entrepreneurship, and resource sustainability, ultimately enhancing their management capabilities. These programs reflect a collective effort to strengthen local economies while preserving cultural identities, which has been noted as a beacon of hope for communal resilience.
Additionally, the government’s dedication to supporting cooperatives has been evident through grants from the Cooperative Development Fund and a digital database system aimed at improving access to cooperative information. Within this thriving framework, the cooperative movement in Fiji has seen substantial growth, with approximately 715 cooperatives managing assets worth $151 million, generating over $26 million in revenue, and enriching the lives of around 40,000 members.
These developments signal a hopeful future for the cooperative sector in Fiji, underpinning the potential for innovation, communal empowerment, and sustainable economic growth. As the initiatives take root, they promise to create pathways for individuals to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations while fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in building a better future for all Fijians.