1. Cooperatives working together at EU level: Cooperatives Europe Slovenia Coop2012 Cooperatives – A Vector of Change in Europe Marc Noel Cooperative Development Manager

2. Cooperative Business Model in Europe
Changing context:
The crisis affected all enterprises; nevertheless, we can speak about a cooperative resilience
ILO study
Reports from EU sector organisations
Cooperatives sticking closely to the principles have had the best results in facing the economic challenges
The crisis that broke out in 2007/8 has epitomized two increasingly contrasting trends that have developed under globalization.
Based on financialisation, short-termism, speculation and instability.
And another one that is strongly engaged in the real economy, the long-term, the fight against desertification of the regions, job security, skills training, employee participation, social inclusion and long term economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Cooperatives clearly belong to the second type.

3. Opportunity for cooperatives?
Cooperative Business Model in Europe
We are stuck:
Opportunity for cooperatives?
The crisis that broke out in 2007/8 has epitomized two increasingly contrasting trends that have developed under globalization.
Based on financialisation, short-termism, speculation and instability.
And another one that is strongly engaged in the real economy, the long-term, the fight against desertification of the regions, job security, skills training, employee participation, social inclusion and long term economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Cooperatives clearly belong to the second type.

4. Advantages: Cooperative Business Model in Europe
People-centred business model
Capacity to react and to anticipate
Sustainable and qualitative development via optimisation and not only short-term profit maximisation
The cooperative business model promotes sustainable employment in sustainable enterprises.and hence local development and social cohesion.
Cooperatives are owned and controlled by owners-stakeholders from the community who are aiming to satisfy their common economic, social, cultural and/or environmental needs and aspirations.
Cooperatives – and other types of employee-owned enterprises are owned and controlled by the workers/members of the enterprise.
Linked to the society
Locally anchored
Long-term vision

5. A key factor: European institutions as catalyst
Cooperative Business Model in Europe
Obstacles at European level:
 Absence of knowledge about the cooperative model
 Policies neglect cooperative specificities
Prevailing model of reference: shareholder company
A key factor: European institutions as catalyst

6. Obtain for cooperatives
Cooperative Business Model in Europe
Conditions for a successful cooperative development
Being recognised as an important economic actor
Combine successfully economic and social reasoning
Develop a cooperative identity and approach
Obtain for cooperatives
« level playing field »

7. Co-operatives working together at EU level Cooperatives Europe
Since 2006 Cooperatives Europe has been the European cross-sector representative organisation for cooperative enterprises recognized by the EU Institution

8. Cooperatives working together at EU level Cooperatives Europe
THE European representative organisation of
co-operative enterprises
The Europe region of the International
Co-operative Alliance
90 member organisations and enterprises from 33 European countries, including
6 European sector organisations
The voice of
123 millions member co-operators owning
160,000 co-operative enterprises and giving jobs to
5.4 million European citizens 8

9. Jobs in co-operatives, members of Cooperatives Europe

10. Number of Co-operative members /Inhabitants represented through Cooperatives Europe

11. Cooperatives working together at EU level Cooperatives Europe
Répartition par secteur.

12. (Promote Coop business model)
Cooperatives working together at EU level
Cooperatives Europe
Governance architecture
General Assembly
90 members
Board/
Exec. Com.
Secretariat
EUCC
(Promote Coop business model)
Int. DeV. WG
Energy WG
Ad Hoc WGs*
New WGs

13. Co-operatives working together at EU level Cooperatives Europe
Non-member co-op organisations
90 Member organisations
International Cooperative Alliance
EU Institutions
Commission
Parliament
EESC
Larger public
Partners
Ueapme
Euricse
SEE
Concord …
Media

14. Cooperatives working together at EU level Cooperatives Europe
Services that we provide to our members:
Advocacy
Communication
Programming
Currently focusing on 5 domains:
Promotion of the cooperative business model
European cooperative development
Energy & Environment
Social Dimension – CSR
2012 – International Year of Co-operatives

15. Lancement de l’année internationale à Cancun
Success Factors for Cooperative Development
Visibility
• Increase the awareness on cooperatives
• Promote the benefits of cooperatives
• Sensitize public authorities
Nov
Lancement de l’année internationale à Cancun
30 Oct. – 3 Nov
Clôture à Manchester

16. Success Factors for Cooperative Development
Cooperation among cooperatives
• Exchange Best practices
• Consolidate the coordination at regional, national and European level
• Build on political alliances to create a European-wide awareness on the Cooperative Business Model

17. Promote a bottom-up approach
Success Factors for Cooperative Development
Reinforce the cooperative identity
Provide tools for shared strategies
Communicate
Consolidate the coordination
Enhance institutional contacts (Gouvernment, Commission… )
Build partnerships
Valorise inter-cooperation
Be flexible
Promote a bottom-up approach 17

18. Establish a cooperative reflex
Success Factors for Cooperative Development
Actions at European level
Support structures for cooperatives
Evaluation of policies and programming affecting cooperatives
Participation in consultation and programming processes
European actions need to be followed at national level
Establish a cooperative reflex 18

19. Cooperative Development Manager Cooperatives Europe
Marc Noel
Cooperative Development Manager
Cooperatives Europe
c/o Cooperative House Europe
avenue Milcamps 105
B-1030 – Brussels
As well as reference to the Coop Principles focus on the democracy | Locality | Accountability angles.
Also see Gilles ‘Cooperative Social Responsibility – CSR’ paper.
We sustain local economy
We enhance solidarity
We encourage sustainability
Businesses not charities. We trade, and share equally and reinvest our profits.
We represent a successful force for economic growth and social cohesion in Europe.
We operate in any business sector: banking, industry, services, consumer, health, education & Housing