An Evaluation of the Capacity-Building Program for Community Cooperatives in San Isidro, Isabela, Under the SURE DA2E Extension Initiative

In agriculturally reliant areas, community cooperatives are crucial to rural development and the creation of inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Therefore, as part of the SURE DA2E (Sustainable and Resilient Development in Agriculture through Expansion and Enhancement) extension program, Isabela State University (ISU) established a capacity-building program for community cooperatives through its College of Business, Accountancy, and Public Administration (CBAPA). ISU and the Local Government of San Isidro, Isabela, collaborated on this program on August 19, 2025, to improve community cooperative governance, foster entrepreneurial and financial literacy, and support sustainable livelihood practices. This article highlights ISU's CBAPA's dedication to enabling communities to promote sustainable development through knowledge transfer, multi-sectoral collaboration, and the construction of resilient, community-based economic systems. It also describes the program's objectives, implementation, key activities, participants, and results.