GUELPH, ON, July 6, 2012 /CNW/ - On the eve of the International Day of Co-operatives, 16 emerging co-ops learned they will be receiving a combined $150,112 to support their development. The grants announced today by The Co-operators are part of the insurance co-operative's Co-operative Development Program, which supports emerging and expanding co-operatives across the country.

"The United Nations declared 2012 The International Year of Co-operatives with the theme 'Co-operative enterprises build a better world' and our continued support of co-ops helps make this theme a reality in communities across Canada," explained Kathy Bardswick, President and CEO of The Co-operators. "Each of these organizations has demonstrated a keen ability to make a positive impact on its members and its community. These co-ops can make a relatively small amount of money go a long way, so we know our support will make a real difference."

The following grants were announced today:

$8,500 - Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op, Duncan, BC
$3,000 - Hub City Cycles Community Co-op, Nanaimo, BC
$12,500 - British Columbia Co-operative Association, Vancouver, BC
$15,000 - Canadian Ethical Restoration and Construction Cooperative, Vancouver, BC
$14,000 - East End Food Cooperative, Vancouver, BC
$3,600 - Shift Delivery Co-op, Vancouver, BC
$6,000 - The Vancouver Tool Library Cooperative, Vancouver, BC
$10,000 - Saint-Claude Wind Energy Cooperative, St. Claude, MB
$7,000 - Your Local Food Co-op, Stratford, ON
$14,122 - Toronto & District Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation, Toronto, ON
$10,750 - TREC Renewable Energy Co-operative, Toronto, ON
$10,000 - Families Matter Co-operative, Ottawa, ON
$8,640 - Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative, Ottawa, ON
$10,000 - Coopérative de Travail du Collège des Hauts Sommets, Saint-Tite-des-Caps, QC
$7,000 - Downtown Daycare Co-operative, Moncton, NB
$10,000 -  La Coopérative de Transport de Chéticamp Lté., Chéticamp, NS

Tomorrow marks the International Day of Co-operatives where co-operatives across the country will be raising awareness and celebrating the impact co-operatives make in Canada and around the world.

Over the past 20 years, The Co-operators has provided $1,720,397 in grants and investments to developing Canadian co-operatives through The Co-operators Foundation Co-operative Development Program.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $38 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada. As a proud member and supporter of the co-operative sector, The Co-operators is pleased to celebrate 2012: The International Year of Co-operatives. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.