Organisation: Cooperative and Policy Alternative Centre (COPAC)

The Co-operative and Policy Alternative Center (COPAC) was formed in 1999 as a grass roots development organisation. It began with an ambition to contribute, through a bottom up practice, to reconstruction and development in post-apartheid South Africa. It has thus orientated itself to build capacity amongst poor communities to achieve self reliant, collectively driven, sustainable and participatory development. As a non-governmental organisation it was initially established as an association governed by a constitution with a governing committee. In 2001 it registered as a not-for-profit section 21 company. During this time it expanded its operations, opened an office and strengthened its board. As COPAC pursued its objectives it has worked with progressive social movements, government departments, township communities and has partnered with several non-governmental organisations.

The vision of the centre is to promote the cooperative idea, worker cooperative movement building and cooperative sector development in South African society and on the African continent. The professionally set up website provide necessary information, technical tools and capacity building resources such as: case studies, research reports, conference publications, discussion papers, a cooperative-directory, tools, news and events.