Cooperatives Europe

21/05/2026

📢 Only 10 days left to register for “Youth Voices, Cooperative Choices” in Budapest! Join us and 40+ young cooperators, youth leaders and changemakers for a 3-day forum to talk about cooperativism, learn from each other, and help shape the people-centred economy in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. 🇭🇺

📅 29 June – 1 July 2026
📍 Central Budapest, Hungary
💰 No registration fee. Travel and accommodation support is available for 35 international participants!

Organised in partnership with DiákÉSZ and the Young European Cooperators Network (YECN), at this event…:
🔹 You will develop skills for your cooperative business through mentor-mentee structured sessions
🔹 You will visit local Hungarian cooperatives and see how they manage their governance and on-site activities.
🔹 You will connect with national and international policymakers to create policy recommendations.
… and much more!

Ready for a trip to Budapest?

🔗 Register today: https://yvcc2026.org

Learn more:
https://coopseurope.coop/events/youth-voices-cooperative-choices-advancing-a-democratic-economy-in-enlarged-europe/


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15/05/2026

📣 New webinar coming up! Dialogue series – episode 3
Cooperating, adapting, responding: spotlight on environmental crises

On World Climate Change Day, pin June 3rd at 14:00 – 15:30 CEST on your calendar! We will be back with the third and final episode of our dialogue series: “The Power of Cooperation in Advancing a Human Rights Economy in Crises”.

Recap of the last episode here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7430620181376380928

This third dialogue brings environmental crises to the spotlight, exploring the cooperative response to climate change. Rooted in democratic ownership and flexible governance, cooperatives respond to ecological crises through community-led solutions aimed at long-term resilience and stability.

The discussion will explore how cooperatives:
🔸 enable community access to land, water, and energy
🔸 combine ecological regeneration with economic security and resilience
🔸 foster education and awareness on collective environmental responsibility

🗓️ June 3, 14:00 – 15:30 CEST | 💻 Online
📝 Register here: 6b01b2cf-4fa9-4550-8639-6648e89c9f1a@7b221798-6b16-4d61-8ea4-51e9d39932fa" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6b01b2cf-4fa9-4550-8639-6648e89c9f1a@7b221798-6b16-4d61-8ea4-51e9d39932fa

📖 More info: https://coopseurope.coop/events/cooperating-adapting-responding-spotlight-on-environmental-crises-dialogue-series-episode-3/

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

📢BIG NEWS: Today we are launching Cooperatives Europe's 20th Anniversary Awards the

Are you a big cooperative, longstanding achievements, still true to the cooperative values?

Or are you a smaller cooperative or project that is working on solving issues for communities while meaningfully involving young people in its mission?

Or you know someone that deserves recognition for their work?

Share with them this post!

💡The European landscape is changing. As we face shifts in energy, housing, and social care, the world is looking for business models that actually work for people. For 20 years, we have known that cooperatives are the answer— 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑬𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆!

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are looking for the "beacons" of our movement. We want to find the stories that stand out and show the "Next Chapter" of economic democracy.

We are calling for nominations in two categories:

💪Award for cooperative stewardship: For those who have reached scale and economic resilience without losing their cooperative soul.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Award for people and community impact: For initiatives that tackle local issues and give a voice to the next generation.

Finalists will...
✔️Get a trip to Brussels to pitch their project live at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
✔️Speak to over 100 leaders and policymakers,
✔️Travel and accommodation covered,
✔️Get visibility across Europe on social media, publications,...

Ready to stand out?
All information here at https://coopseurope.coop/coopanniversaryawards/

Let’s show Europe what the future of the economy looks like.

09/05/2026

Do you love coops? 💙

On , why don't you give a follow to our EU sectoral members on Facebook and discover how cooperatives are shaping Europe across sectors such as agriculture, energy, housing, industry, banking, retail, health, ...🇪🇺

🏭CECOP
Represents industrial and service cooperatives, social cooperatives and worker-owned enterprises.

🌾Copa-Cogeca
Cogeca represents agricultural cooperatives and farmers across Europe.

🛒Euro Coop
Represents consumer cooperatives, including retail coops.

🏘️Housing Europe
Represents public, cooperative and social housing providers.

⚡REScoop.eu
Represents citizen-led renewable energy cooperatives and energy communities.

Our sectoral members work on sector-specific priorities and represent cooperative interests at EU level, helping shape legislation, exchange expertise and strengthen cooperation. Together with Cooperatives Europe’s cross-sector work, they help ensure cooperatives have a strong voice in Europe!

One movement across many sectors!


International Cooperative Alliance

06/05/2026

Young cooperators (and others!), Budapest is calling! 🌍

The future of the European cooperative movement is youth-led. We are proud to announce "Youth Voices, Cooperative Choices," a 3-day summit in Budapest dedicated to advancing a democratic, people-centred economy across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. 🇭🇺

In partnership with DiákÉSZ and the Young European Cooperators Network (YECN), this event bridges the gap between young entrepreneurs and policymakers.

Over 100 young leaders will gather (for free) to:
📢 Influence Policy: Connect youth experiences with national and EU-level policy recommendations.
🤝 Build Networks: Foster intergenerational dialogue between established practitioners and the next generation, and exchange best practices.
🛠️ Develop Tools: Practical workshops to strengthen cooperative business models and governance.

Who Should Attend?
Young cooperators and entrepreneurs, institutional partners, and representatives from cooperative, civil society, and academic organisations.

Programme Highlights:
29 June: Opening Ceremony, High-level Roundtables, Networking Fair
30 June: Practical workshops, visits to local cooperatives, city tour
1 July: Reporting sessions, adoption of recommendations

This event is part of the European activities by Cooperatives Europe under the ICA-EU Partnership 🌍, aimed at strengthening cooperatives as key partners and actors in the advancement of the UN Agenda2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals. In Europe, this partnership has been the engine behind Cooperatives Europe’s long-standing commitment to the power of cooperation across the Western Balkans and Eastern European countries.

The Details:

📅 Dates: 29 June – 1 July 2026
📍 Location: Central Budapest, Hungary
💰 Participation: No registration fee. Travel and accommodation support is available for 35 international participants!

Together, we are redefining the cooperative narrative.

Register and info: https://lnkd.in/dH237mGA

Event website: https://yvcc2026.org

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05/05/2026

The theme for 2026 is here: Cooperatives for a Peaceful World. 🕊️

At times, the world around us can feel fragmented with clashing views, conflict and even war. However, cooperators know that their businesses play an essential role in creating daily stability. They create genuine trust and connection between people, providing a dedicated space for organised, civil discussion. By fostering these connections, the cooperative movement helps build the social cohesion necessary for a more resilient society.

On 4 July, we showcase how cooperation builds the bridges our communities need to thrive.

🌍 How does your coop build peace? Share your story using

We will give it visibility!

🔗 Read more:
https://lnkd.in/deg3bTdf
🗓️ 4 July 2026
🔗 coopsday.coop


CECOP Euro Coop International Cooperative Alliance REScoop.eu Copa-Cogeca Housing Europe

04/05/2026

🚨 The 2026 theme is here!

Cooperatives for a Peaceful World

With just two months to go until 4 July, the global cooperative movement is gearing up to highlight how cooperation builds trust, strengthens communities, and creates the foundations for lasting peace.

And the momentum doesn’t stop there.

This year’s theme connects directly to the ICA Global Conference in Panama with the theme "Building Bridges: Cooperative Contributions for a Peaceful World."

From local action to global dialogue, cooperatives are building bridges where they matter most.

🔗 Read more: https://ica.coop/en/newsroom/news/2026-coopsday-theme-unveiled-cooperatives-peaceful-world
📩 Or check your inbox!

🗓️ 4 July 2026
🔗 www.coopsday.coop
💬 How will you celebrate this year?

15/04/2026

The European Commission has published the mid-term review of the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP).

It confirms progress since 2021, but also makes one thing clear: delivery will now depend on Member States.

The SEAP remains a key EU framework to support cooperatives, social enterprises and mutuals. It aims to strengthen access to finance, improve the legal environment, and scale the social economy’s role in jobs, innovation and social inclusion.

Three issues stand out from the review:
1️⃣ Local and regional actors are often driving progress, but scaling remains dependent on stronger national backing and coordination.
2️⃣ The social economy is recognised as a source of resilience and innovation. This role now needs to be fully reflected across EU policy, including in areas like the Circular Economy Act.
3️⃣ Progress is noted on procurement and state aid discussions, but a more consistent framework is still needed to reflect the specific nature of social economy enterprises.

What remains uncertain is the level of momentum and engagement from Member States. The Commission states it will maintain a coordinated and integrated approach to implementation and monitoring. The question is how this will translate into action on the ground.

👉 Read the full update: https://coopseurope.coop/news_article/mid-term-review-of-the-social-economy-action-plan/

10/04/2026

While the world is off track to meet SDG 12, cooperatives are proving to be the missing link for sustainable consumption and production. By prioritising community over profit, they are leading the shift from a linear to a circular economy.

Read the latest edition of the SDG Policy Brief series!
This latest brief, produced by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and COPAC in collaboration with Cooperatives Europe, showcases how democratic ownership is making a real impact:

♻️ Sweden: Once More® is the world's first large-scale textile recycling technology for blended fibres.
🍇 Italy: Caviro achieves a waste recovery rate of nearly 100% in wine production.
🌾 Spain: ORYZITE® transforms rice husks into sustainable bio-based materials for industry... and many more examples!

Read the full brief:
https://coopseurope.coop/news_article/sdg-series-cooperative-contributions-to-sdg-12-ensuring-sustainable-consumption-and-production-patterns/

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