European Economic
and Social Committee
CURRENT AFFAIRS: Conclusion of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025
Cooperative businesses are building a better world
An opinion on the role of cooperatives in European competitiveness (CCMI/242 Industrial Cooperatives: a tool for the challenge of inclusive and sustainable competitiveness) was adopted during the last EESC plenary session in December, when the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) celebrated the conclusion of the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
At European level, the Year opened with a conference on cooperatives as drivers of change. It took place on 18 March and was organised jointly by the EESC and the European Commission, Cooperatives Europe and CECOP.
The conference confirmed the EESC’s strong commitment to the development and promotion of the social economy, in which its members of the EESC Social Economy Category and the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group are both very active.
The International Year of Cooperatives has contributed to a sharp rise in interest in cooperatives: policymakers, the media, researchers and students have engaged more actively with the movement and institutions at local, national, European and international level have involved cooperatives in debates and decision-making processes.
Today, cooperatives are present in sectors such as housing, energy, retail, agriculture and industry. Together, they have demonstrated that cooperatives are an integral part of everyday life in Europe and help communities remain stable despite social, economic and environmental pressures.
Cooperatives’ commitment to competition, the green transition, education and social rights aligns with the EESC’s priorities. My hope is that cooperatives will continue to build public confidence and give people a voice and more opportunities to play an active role in the economy. We must also strengthen the message of peace that is part of the cultural mission of cooperatives, in their role as enterprises dedicated to human and economic development. Investing in food producers, in health and social services, in education and in inclusive industry will prove that an economy based on people is possible and real.
Cooperation must continue to be a tangible way to build a better life together. Cooperative businesses build a better world, and this will remain true beyond 2025.
Giuseppe GUERINI (Italy)
Member, EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group
President, European Confederation of Industrial, Worker and Service Cooperatives and Social Cooperatives (Cecop)
Board member, Confederation of Italian Cooperatives (Confcooperative)
Representative of industrial and service worker cooperatives and social cooperatives, boards of Cooperatives Europe and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
© EU/EESC