The Office Central de la Coopération à l’École (OCCE) is dedicated to helping young people grow into responsible, active, and compassionate citizens. Since its founding, OCCE has promoted the development of school cooperatives and student-led initiatives across secular educational institutions. These cooperative structures are more than extracurricular activities—they are living laboratories of democracy, where students learn responsibility, teamwork, and solidarity while actively shaping their school environment.

Our journey has always been guided by a commitment to human progress. We believe that education should not be limited to academic success alone. It must also prepare students for civic life, nurture their social skills, and develop their capacity for critical thinking and shared responsibility.

By placing students at the heart of school life and empowering them to make decisions with the support of educators, OCCE encourages a spirit of cooperation that extends far beyond the classroom.

Our Mission

At OCCE, our mission is to foster civic, moral, social, economic, and intellectual education for children and young people. We achieve this through the creation and support of school cooperatives—democratic structures managed by students with the guidance of adults.

Through these initiatives, we aim to:

• Promote cooperation – teaching students the value of teamwork, collective decision-making, and shared goals.

• Cultivate responsibility – encouraging young people to take ownership of their actions and projects.

• Foster solidarity – building empathy and mutual support within the school and community.

• Encourage active citizenship – preparing students to participate meaningfully in democratic and community life.

• Support intellectual and moral growth – guiding young people to think critically, act ethically, and live with integrity.

In short, our mission is to empower young people to not only succeed academically but also thrive as engaged, responsible members of society.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every school is a space of shared responsibility and democratic practice, where children and young people grow into active, empathetic citizens.

Our vision is of a society in which:

• Students are empowered to lead, not just to follow.

• Schools serve as models of democracy and cooperation.

• Young people understand and practice values of solidarity, fairness, and civic engagement.

• Education is seen as a collective journey, where teachers and students learn from one another.

• Communities are strengthened by the contributions of young people who have been taught to value cooperation and respect.

By nurturing these ideals, OCCE seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, democratic, and resilient society.

Our Values

At OCCE, our work is guided by a set of strong values:

1. Cooperation – We believe in the power of working together toward common goals, both in school and in society.

2. Democracy – We ensure that every voice is heard and every member has the chance to participate in decisions.

3. Responsibility – We encourage accountability, initiative, and leadership among students.

4. Solidarity – We teach empathy, respect, and mutual support, building a culture of inclusion.

5. Human Progress – We are committed to advancing education that serves not only the individual but also the collective good.

6. Active Citizenship – We prepare young people to participate fully in their communities and in democratic life.

These values are not theoretical—they are lived every day in the practices of school cooperatives supported by OCCE.

What We Do

OCCE brings cooperative education to life through a variety of activities and structures:

• School Cooperatives – We guide the creation of cooperatives run by students, where they learn to manage projects, finances, and activities democratically.

• Student-Led Initiatives – We encourage students to design and lead activities—from cultural events to social campaigns—that benefit their schools and communities.

• Educational Training and Resources – We provide educators with tools and training to support cooperative practices in classrooms and beyond.

• Democratic Practice – We give students opportunities to debate, vote, and take part in real decision-making processes.

• Community Projects – We connect schools with local communities, helping students see the broader impact of cooperation and solidarity.

Through these initiatives, OCCE ensures that learning is active, participatory, and socially meaningful.

Our Impact

Over the years, OCCE has created meaningful change in schools and communities across France. The impact of our work is visible in many ways:

• Children learn the value of collaboration, empathy, and responsibility.

• Teenagers gain leadership experience and develop civic awareness.

• Teachers see increased student motivation, participation, and respect for others.

• Communities benefit from projects initiated and managed by young people with a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.

Thousands of students leave their school cooperatives with not only academic knowledge but also the skills, values, and confidence to become active participants in society.

Why We Exist

In today’s world, young people face growing challenges—social divisions, isolation, and disconnection from civic life. Many feel their voices are not heard in decisions that affect their future.

OCCE exists to change that.
By placing cooperation, democracy, and solidarity at the center of education, we ensure that students:

• Have opportunities to practice citizenship from an early age.

• Understand the importance of mutual support and respect.

• Learn that democracy is not only a principle but a daily practice.

• Leave school ready to contribute to the progress of society.

Our existence reflects a simple belief: a better society begins with cooperative education.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, OCCE remains committed to strengthening cooperative education and expanding its reach. Our goals include:

• Increasing the number of school cooperatives nationwide.

• Offering more training programs for teachers to integrate cooperative learning.

• Supporting projects that address modern challenges, such as sustainability, social inclusion, and digital citizenship.

• Building international partnerships to promote global solidarity.

• Continuing to innovate so that cooperative education remains relevant and impactful in changing times.

We are determined to ensure that every student has the opportunity to experience cooperation, democracy, and responsibility in action.

Conclusion

The Office Central de la Coopération à l’École is more than an organization—it is a movement for education rooted in democracy, cooperation, and human progress. By supporting school cooperatives and student-led initiatives, we empower young people to take responsibility, act with solidarity, and participate fully in the life of their communities.

Our mission is clear: to prepare new generations of citizens who are capable, compassionate, and committed to building a better future.

Through our programs, values, and vision, OCCE continues to inspire both schools and communities, proving that cooperative education is not just a teaching method—it is a foundation for a more just, democratic, and united society.