European Economic
and Social Committee
EESC calls for role of industrial cooperatives to be promoted more widely
The cooperative model has proved its ability to establish competitive companies rooted in inclusivity and worker participation. As the EESC’s opinion stresses, it is becoming increasingly important to maintain industrial capacity within the EU, in the interests of its security and strategic autonomy.
On 3 December 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a debate on Cooperatives building a better world: the contribution of the EESC to the International Year of Cooperatives, in connection with the adoption of an opinion on Industrial cooperatives: a tool for inclusive and sustainable competitiveness. ‘Cooperatives offer distinct added value through democratic governance, equitable distribution of wealth and deep community engagement. They therefore strengthen EU strategic autonomy and create businesses that are more resilient during crises’, said EESC President Séamus Boland. ‘Cooperatives demonstrate that competitiveness and social responsibility are not opposing goals, but rather mutually reinforcing.’
The United Nations has proclaimed 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), with the theme ‘Cooperatives Build a Better World’, reflecting a growing recognition among international institutions of the role played by cooperatives in many sectors. As the EESC opinion highlights, cooperatives are the most structured form of social and solidarity economy entity in entrepreneurial terms and the most widespread form globally in terms of legal structures and guiding principles. The European Union and many other international institutions have recognised the important role of social economy enterprises.
‘The EESC opinion clearly captures the reality and importance of cooperatives, said Carlien van Empel, director of the ILO Office for the EU. ‘It highlights that these cooperatives do more than simply produce goods and services. They contribute to inclusive supply chains, create a quality environment, and strengthen resilience in times of crisis by promoting crisis management at enterprise level.’
The EESC opinion emphasises that cooperatives should be recognised as legitimate economic actors capable of driving reindustrialisation, fostering innovation, and advancing the twin green and digital transitions. ‘We are not asking for a subsidy’, stressed Jeroen Douglas, director-general of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). ‘As you deliberate on the future of Europe, we ask for a level playing field and a meaningful partnership. We are delighted to have the opportunity to advocate the cooperative enterprise model as a building block for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic future. The European Economic and Social Committee is the bridge between civil society and EU policymaking for us.’
The EESC opinion also stresses that cooperative business education should be incorporated into mainstream training and entrepreneurship programmes, including Erasmus+, to encourage young people to view cooperatives as a viable career option and an appealing ownership model. Furthermore, financial incentives such as tax relief, grants and low-interest financing should be designed to support the growth of industrial cooperatives. ‘The cooperative business model remains largely invisible in mainstream business and entrepreneurship education’, said Michal Pintér, co-rapporteur for the EESC opinion. ‘Many young people are unaware that they can become co-owners of a cooperative alongside their peers. This is why we recommend that Member States and regions incorporate cooperative business education into their curricula.’
The EESC opinion also highlights the important role of shared industrial parks, eco-industrial zones, and knowledge-sharing platforms in helping cooperatives develop sustainable production ecosystems. It also recommends incorporating cooperative-specific measures into cohesion policy and regional development strategies to recognise cooperatives as essential drivers of local resilience and long-term growth. While most cooperatives are small or medium-sized enterprises, many are large companies operating in highly competitive sectors. At least 12% of the global population are cooperative members, with 280 million people relying on cooperatives as their main source of income. In Europe, the cooperative sector comprises 141 000 members, five million employees and 250 000 enterprises.
‘The cooperative industry plays a crucial role in Europe’s strategic autonomy because it is based on community principles. They may not produce goods around the world, but they still act within the community’, said Giuseppe Guerini, rapporteur for the EESC opinion. Cooperatives also play a vital role in shaping Europe’s future competitiveness. Their democratic governance, equitable distribution of wealth, and strong community engagement strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy and help build resilient businesses in times of crisis. With artificial intelligence and data becoming increasingly central to industrial transformation, the opinion draws attention to the growing importance of data-driven cooperatives. Supporting collective structures for data management and sharing will enable SMEs and workers to participate fully in these transformations, particularly where they lack the capacity to access or process large volumes of data independently.