Cooperatives Europe has begun its 20th anniversary celebrations in Brussels, bringing together cooperative leaders, policymakers and partners for two days of dialogue on the movement’s achievements and future role in Europe’s economy.
The event, hosted at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), reviewed two decades of cooperation and explored the future of economic democracy.
The opening day featured contributions from Giuseppe Guerini, President of Cooperatives Europe; Antje Gerstein, President of the EESC Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption; and Agnès Mathis, Director of Cooperatives Europe.
A panel discussion examined the practical impact of European-level cooperation on cooperatives, alongside the presentation of the inaugural Cooperatives Europe Anniversary Awards.
Speakers highlighted democratic ownership, participation, belonging and social cohesion as key strengths of cooperatives amid growing economic and social disruptions.
