Democracy, poverty alleviation and improving the performance of co-operatives as businesses are among the major concerns of the ICA Development programme. With forty years of experience in assisting co-operatives, ICA promotes and strengthens autonomous and viable co-operatives throughout the world. Acting as a coordinator and catalyst of co-operative development, ICA works through its regional offices in Africa (Kenya), the Americas (Costa Rica), Asia-Pacific (India), and Europe (Belgium). The ICA also provides services through project offices in Singapore, Argentina, Bolivia, and Egypt. The head office in Geneva has a co-ordinating function in this work.

Each of the ICA Regional Offices identifies priorities and programmes through consultation with member organisations and development partners. The process is designed to respond to the needs expressed by member organisations.