Legacoop (Lega Nazionale delle Cooperative e Mutue) is the oldest[1] cooperative federation in Italy. Legacoop consists of several associations of cooperatives, providing coordination and advocating on behalf of its more than 10,000 associated cooperative enterprises, active throughout Italy and across the entire production chain.[2]
History
The Federazione Nazionale delle Cooperative was founded in 1886 in Milan by delegates representing cooperative enterprises.[3] In 1893, the federation changed its name to Lega delle Cooperative. At the time the federation included Catholic groups in solidarity with secular/socialist groups. In 1919, the Catholic cooperatives split and formed the Confederazione delle Cooperative Italiane. In the 1920s, the fascist government disposed of cooperatives and unions and the organization was disbanded.[4]