The European Commission is organizing a conference titled "Fostering Europe's prosperity and industrial transformation: Cooperatives as drivers of change" on March 18, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. This one-day event, held in collaboration with CECOP and Cooperatives Europe, aims to highlight the role of cooperatives in boosting economic resilience and social cohesion in the European Union[1][4][7].
The conference is part of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, proclaimed by the United Nations, and represents an opportunity for the European Commission to demonstrate its commitment to the cooperative model[4][8].
The event will feature plenary sessions and workshops designed to foster dialogue among cooperatives' representatives, academics, and policymakers. Discussions will focus on how the cooperative model can contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable economy in the EU[1][4].
Key topics include the resilience of cooperatives during economic uncertainty, public authority support for cooperative development, and the future of cooperatives in the EU[10].
The conference will take place at La Vallée, Rue Adolphe Lavallée 39, in Brussels, from 8:15 AM to 5:30 PM CET. Plenaries will be livestreamed and include translations in English, French, and Spanish, while workshops will be conducted in English only[4][7].
Due to high demand, registration is currently closed for in-person attendance but remains open for online participation and waiting list[4].