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

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.

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.

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

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

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 »

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

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

Jobs in co-operatives, members of Cooperatives Europe

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

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

(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

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

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

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. 14-18 2011 Lancement de l’année internationale à Cancun 30 Oct. – 3 Nov. 2012 Clôture à Manchester

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

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

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

Cooperative Development Manager Cooperatives Europe Marc Noel Cooperative Development Manager Cooperatives Europe c/o Cooperative House Europe avenue Milcamps 105 B-1030 – Brussels m.noel@coopseurope.coop 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