Our Journey and Mission

Founded with a vision to empower young minds, Office Central de la Coopération à l’École (OCCE) has become a leading organization in promoting cooperative learning across France. Our goal is to support the creation of school cooperatives and student-led initiatives within secular educational institutions. By combining guidance from adults with autonomy for students, we cultivate skills that extend beyond academics—preparing students to become responsible, democratic, and active citizens.

The OCCE believes that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but about shaping character, fostering community, and inspiring participation in society. By giving students the opportunity to manage their activities, we provide a practical environment to understand the principles of democracy, solidarity, and cooperation, laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future.

Our Mission

The mission of OCCE is rooted in the belief that students learn best when they actively participate in the processes that affect them. We are committed to:

• Promoting cooperative learning in schools by encouraging teamwork, collaboration, and shared decision-making.

• Supporting student-led initiatives, giving children and young people the responsibility to manage activities, projects, and school cooperatives.

• Fostering civic responsibility and active citizenship, ensuring that young learners understand the impact of their actions within their communities.

• Encouraging democratic principles, where students experience participation, debate, and collective decision-making in a real-life context.

• Developing solidarity and mutual respect, helping students recognize the value of empathy, fairness, and collaboration.

Through these principles, OCCE provides a structured yet flexible framework where students not only learn about democracy and responsibility but live it every day.

Our Vision

We envision a world in which every student grows up empowered, informed, and engaged. OCCE’s vision is to create an educational ecosystem where cooperative learning is the standard, rather than the exception, and where students:

• Exercise autonomy and initiative, developing leadership skills through meaningful participation.

• Value diversity and inclusion, learning to collaborate with peers from varied backgrounds.

• Actively contribute to their communities, understanding that every action has social significance.

• Develop ethical and civic-minded perspectives, prepared to make thoughtful and informed decisions in the future.

Our ultimate aim is to nurture generations of young people who are not only academically competent but also socially conscious, collaborative, and ready to contribute positively to society.

Our Values

The work of OCCE is guided by a set of core values that underpin every program, activity, and initiative:

1. Cooperation – Students learn to work together, make collective decisions, and share responsibilities.

2. Democracy – Participation, discussion, and decision-making are central to the learning experience.

3. Responsibility – Students gain practical experience in managing projects and understanding the consequences of their actions.

4. Solidarity – Cooperation fosters empathy and a sense of community, ensuring that no student is left behind.

5. Active Citizenship – Students are encouraged to engage in their communities, developing habits of civic participation.

6. Autonomy and Initiative – By managing activities and projects, students experience the value of self-direction balanced with guidance.

These values are not abstract ideals—they are integrated into daily activities, giving students tangible experiences that reinforce character development, social skills, and leadership capabilities.

What We Do

OCCE facilitates a wide range of activities designed to bring cooperative learning to life:

• School Cooperatives: We help schools establish cooperatives where students take the lead in managing projects, finances, and events, guided by teachers and adult mentors.

• Student-Led Initiatives: From organizing school events to managing community projects, students learn to plan, execute, and reflect on their work.

• Educational Resources and Training: We provide teachers, educators, and student leaders with tools, workshops, and guidance to foster cooperative learning in classrooms.

• Community Engagement Programs: Students participate in projects that connect schools with the wider community, reinforcing civic responsibility and solidarity.

• Democracy in Action: We create opportunities for students to engage in discussions, vote on decisions, and experience governance processes in a microcosm of society.

Through these programs, OCCE ensures that students are not passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in shaping their educational experience.

Our Impact

Over the years, OCCE has positively impacted thousands of students and schools by:

• Developing strong leadership and teamwork skills among young people.

• Encouraging responsibility and accountability, empowering students to manage real projects.

• Fostering solidarity and empathy, helping students understand the importance of supporting peers and the community.

• Instilling democratic values, preparing students to participate actively and responsibly in society.

• Creating a sustainable model of cooperative learning, where students carry lessons learned into adulthood.

The long-term impact is seen not just in academic performance but in the formation of engaged, socially aware citizens ready to tackle societal challenges.

Why We Exist

In today’s rapidly evolving society, the need for responsible, cooperative, and civic-minded individuals has never been greater. Many students face challenges such as social isolation, lack of practical leadership experiences, and limited exposure to democratic processes.

OCCE exists to bridge this gap by providing students with real-world experiences that teach collaboration, empathy, and civic engagement. We equip young people with the skills and mindset necessary to become responsible citizens who understand their role in creating inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the future, OCCE remains committed to expanding cooperative learning throughout the educational system. Our focus includes:

• Reaching more schools and students across France, ensuring that cooperative learning is widely accessible.

• Strengthening our teacher training programs to better support student-led initiatives.

• Promoting environmental and community projects that teach sustainability alongside cooperation.

• Leveraging digital tools to enhance collaboration, participation, and learning outcomes.

• Building partnerships with national and international organizations to foster global solidarity and exchange.

Our vision is clear: a world where cooperative learning becomes the foundation of education, producing generations of students who are resilient, responsible, and committed to the common good.

Conclusion

At Office Central de la Coopération à l’École, we believe in the transformative power of cooperative learning. By guiding students to manage activities, take initiative, and work together, we cultivate leadership, solidarity, and civic responsibility.

We are more than an educational organization – we are a movement shaping the future of young citizens, empowering them to live responsibly, act democratically, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Through our programs, resources, and ongoing commitment, OCCE continues to make a lasting impact, preparing students not just for academic success but for a lifetime of active, engaged, and cooperative citizenship.