The Office Central de la Coopération à l’École (OCCE) Corrèze is committed to enriching education across our region by placing cooperation, solidarity, and democratic practice at the heart of school life. We support the creation of school cooperatives and student-led groups within secular educational institutions, empowering pupils to take an active role in managing collective projects.

These initiatives are more than extracurricular activities—they are living spaces of democracy and responsibility, where students learn by doing. Guided by educators, pupils develop essential skills such as teamwork, leadership, empathy, and critical thinking. Through cooperation, they experience firsthand the values of solidarity, equality, and shared responsibility, preparing them to become engaged citizens in their communities and beyond.

Our mission is simple yet transformative: to promote cooperation, responsibility, solidarity, and active citizenship by encouraging young people to design, manage, and evaluate projects collectively, under the supportive guidance of adults.

Our Mission

OCCE Corrèze exists to help schools become more democratic, participatory, and inclusive. We believe that education is not only about academic success but also about nurturing responsible, empathetic, and active citizens.

Our mission is to:

• Support the creation and development of school cooperatives in public institutions across Corrèze.

• Guide pupils in managing collective projects that build both knowledge and character.

• Encourage democratic participation by giving children real opportunities to debate, vote, and take responsibility.

• Foster civic and social education at every level, from primary to secondary school.

• Promote values of cooperation, solidarity, and responsibility as essential foundations for community life.

Our Vision

We envision schools in Corrèze as dynamic communities of cooperation, where every pupil has a voice and every project is an opportunity to learn democracy in action.

In our vision:

• Students are not just learners but active contributors to their school environment.

• Schools serve as miniature democracies, preparing young people for full participation in civic life.

• Education is understood as a collective journey, where success is shared and achievements are celebrated together.

• Communities benefit from young citizens who value solidarity, fairness, and active participation.

Our long-term vision is to help build a society where democracy is practiced daily and where cooperation is a natural way of living and learning together.

Our Values

The values we uphold shape everything we do at OCCE Corrèze:

1. Cooperation – We believe that working together creates stronger results and deeper learning.

2. Responsibility – We encourage pupils to take ownership of their actions and projects, learning accountability from a young age.

3. Solidarity – We foster mutual support and empathy, ensuring that no one is left behind.

4. Democracy – We create opportunities for children to practice decision-making, debate, and consensus-building.

5. Equality – We are rooted in secular, public education that is inclusive and accessible to all.

6. Active Citizenship – We prepare young people to engage meaningfully in their communities and in society at large.

What We Do

OCCE Corrèze works closely with schools, educators, and local communities to bring cooperative education to life. Our activities include:

• Creating and supporting school cooperatives – helping schools establish democratic structures run by students with guidance from teachers.

• Providing training and resources for educators – equipping teachers with tools to support cooperative learning.

• Encouraging democratic practice – from organizing student assemblies to teaching pupils how to vote, debate, and make collective decisions.

• Supporting student-led projects – guiding pupils in designing initiatives ranging from cultural events and environmental projects to community service.

• Building community connections – linking school cooperatives with local partners to foster real-world engagement and solidarity.

Every project supported by OCCE Corrèze is both an educational opportunity and a step toward shaping responsible, compassionate citizens.

Our Impact

Across Corrèze, OCCE initiatives are making a tangible difference in schools and communities. The impact can be seen in:

• Children who learn teamwork, respect, and responsibility through cooperative projects.

• Teenagers who gain leadership experience and civic awareness that will serve them in adulthood.

• Teachers who find renewed motivation and fresh teaching approaches through cooperative methods.

• Communities that benefit from youth-led projects fostering solidarity and social cohesion.

Each cooperative becomes a seed of democracy, growing within schools and spreading its influence throughout the community.

Why We Exist

Education in today’s world faces new challenges: social inequality, individualism, and disconnection from civic life. Many children leave school without ever having had the chance to practice responsibility, solidarity, or democratic participation.

OCCE Corrèze exists to change that.
By introducing cooperative structures into schools, we ensure that pupils:

• Experience democracy in action from an early age.

• Learn how to collaborate, compromise, and care for others.

• Understand that responsibility is shared and progress is collective.

• Leave school not only with academic knowledge but also with the skills and values needed to build a fairer society.

Looking Ahead

OCCE Corrèze is committed to growing its impact in the coming years. Our goals include:

• Expanding the number of school cooperatives across the region.

• Offering more training and support for teachers, empowering them to integrate cooperative methods into daily practice.

• Encouraging projects on sustainability, digital citizenship, and cultural diversity, preparing pupils for the challenges of the modern world.

• Building stronger partnerships with local communities and institutions to ensure that cooperative values extend beyond the classroom.

• Continuing to adapt and innovate so that cooperative education remains relevant and inspiring for future generations.