Kerala’s century-old Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) Ltd. has been named a Global Cooperative Cultural Heritage Site by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The announcement was made at Brasília’s iconic Itamaraty Palace during the launch of the ICA’s first World Map of Cooperative Cultural Heritage Sites.
ULCCS is one of 31 sites across 25 countries recognised for their lasting contributions to cooperative culture, education, and livelihoods. The cooperative, along with the Dr Verghese Kurien Museum of Amul in Gujarat, represents Asia on the inaugural list.
Founded over 100 years ago, ULCCS provides direct employment to 18,000 people, with an annual turnover of ₹2,334 crore. It has expanded into sectors including IT (UL Cyberpark), construction, education, arts and crafts villages, and disaster management, making it a model of labour-led cooperative development.
“Cooperatives are not only enterprises; they are bearers of culture, history, and identity,” said Ariel Guarco, ICA President. The event also marked the start of a global nomination process for additional heritage sites and traditions, with recognitions displayed on the ICA Cooperative Cultural Heritage Map.
ULCCS continues to demonstrate how cooperatives can drive sustainable development while preserving cultural and social legacies for future generations
