The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) has been recognised as a ‘Global Cooperative Cultural Heritage Site’ by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), placing the century-old Kerala-based organisation among 31 globally significant locations that represent the legacy and impact of the cooperative movement. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Brazil’s Itamaraty Palace, home to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an architectural landmark designed by Oscar Niemeyer. ULCCS is one of only seven Asian sites selected, alongside India’s Dr Verghese Kurien Museum of Amul.

During the event, ICA unveiled the first World Map of cooperative cultural heritage sites and launched the Cooperative Cultural Heritage Platform, created to safeguard and celebrate the cultural, social and economic contributions of cooperatives across generations. The platform highlights ULCCS’s legacy, tracing its evolution from a workers’ collective into a model of cooperative governance and community development.

ICA President Ariel Guarco said the initiative honours cooperatives as custodians of history, identity and solidarity. Representatives from ICA, the Organisation of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and global dignitaries from Brazil and UNESCO attended the launch. The map’s development involved collaboration between ICA members in Brazil and India, positioning ULCCS on a global stage for its enduring cooperative heritage.