By Balu Iyer
As one approaches Paro, Bhutan, the breathtaking descent offers more than just a view—it provides an exhilarating entry into a land where natural beauty, cultural richness, and a profound respect for the earth converge. During a recent visit to participate in a Training of Trainers (ToT) program, we witnessed firsthand the harmony between people and nature and observed how the values of cooperatives align with Bhutanese society. Both are deeply rooted in collective well-being, shared responsibility, and a vision for a sustainable future.
The ICA-AP Committee on Women selected Bhutan as the inaugural country to implement the ToT on Climate Change and Action specifically designed for women cooperators. Bhutan’s commitment to environmental sustainability made it the ideal setting for this initiative, empowering women leaders with climate action skills. The training attracted 25 women from cooperatives, government, and the private sector, all of whom were actively involved in local initiatives, from the nationwide “Zero Waste Hour” to waste segregation practices integrated into cooperative activities.
Central to their sustainability efforts are the “5Rs”—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle—and community campaigns promoting climate action. Pema Ihadon, an entrepreneur, while summing up her group’s work said, “Our efforts are grounded within Bhutan Gross National Happiness Framework which had within it the four elements of, Sustainable and Equitable Socio Economic Development, Environmental Conservation, Preservation and Promotion of Culture, and Good Governance.”
Our key partners for this ToT were Bhutan’s Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) and the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) from the Philippines. DAMC, one of the three primary departments within MoAL, plays a vital role in facilitating the marketing of agricultural products and supporting the development of the cooperative sector in Bhutan.
This collaboration with DAMC was essential for grounding the training within Bhutan’s cooperative framework. NATCCO’s expertise provided through Lasalette M. Gumban and Daisybelle M. Cabal, gave insights into empowering women within cooperatives to drive climate action. Their sessions included practical lessons on developing climate action strategies, empowering women as agents of environmental stewardship, and establishing plans to raise awareness and foster community participation in climate initiatives.
With over 600 registered farmers’ groups and 100 cooperatives across sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and forestry, Bhutan’s cooperative movement is steadily advancing. Dasho Thinley Namgyel, Secretary of MoAL, emphasized the importance of capacity building for cooperatives, with a vision to harness Bhutan’s agricultural potential through organic farming, agroecology, and biodiversity conservation. He underscored how cooperative leaders trained in the ToT could champion Bhutan’s commitment to sustainability.
An inspiring meeting for me was with Damche Dem and her team from the Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAOWE), who are empowering women across the country. BAOWE supports women in both the informal sector and agriculture, promoting self-help groups (SHGs) and cooperatives that foster economic independence. Their microfinance initiative, BAOWE Pelzhing, and the Grassroots Rural Entrepreneur Women (GREW) program reach over 18,000 women across 20 Dzongkhags. With their brand, BAOWE Pure, they showcase high-quality, artisanal products crafted by women-led groups, bringing visibility to the skills and resilience of Bhutan’s women entrepreneurs.
In Bhutan, cooperatives embody a shared commitment to sustainability and resilience, which offer the way for community-led solutions to shared challenges. The ToT with women leaders from cooperatives showed how they can champion climate action, community welfare, and economic empowerment, with purpose and solidarity.