Schimb de experiență: Cooperativele de locuințe ca instrument pentru locuințe sociale și accesibile ca preț în România

The article “Schimb de experiență: Cooperativele de locuințe ca instrument pentru locuințe sociale și accesibile ca preţ în România” was produced by the Asociaţia Comunelor din România (ACoR), a national association representing Romanian local communities. The piece is authored by Teodor‑Gabriel Mielcioiu, a specialist within ACoR, and documents the outcomes of a technical workshop held on 28 May 2026 at the Hotel Sheraton in Bucharest. The workshop was part of the World Bank‑European Commission project “Improving the regulatory framework for social housing in Romania”, aimed at sharing best practices on housing cooperatives as a tool for sustainable, affordable dwellings.

The event was co‑organised with the Romanian Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, reflecting strong governmental support for cooperative housing. Participants included representatives from European institutions, international organisations such as the OECD, the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and Habitat et Humanisme, underscoring a pan‑European interest in replicable models for social housing.

Cooperatives were presented as a legal and financial mechanism that can mobilise local resources, reduce reliance on private market rents and foster community governance. The workshop highlighted that cooperative structures enable collective ownership, lower construction costs through shared procurement, and provide long‑term affordability because surplus is reinvested rather than distributed as profit.

• The World Bank and European Commission jointly fund the overarching project, indicating a multi‑billion‑euro commitment to housing reform across the EU.
• ACoR’s involvement demonstrates the integration of local‑level actors in policy formulation.
• Representatives from the Ilfov County branch of ACoR, the mayor of Mogoșoaia and a public administration councillor participated, illustrating municipal engagement.
• The workshop featured discussions on legal frameworks, financing options, and the role of local authorities in supporting cooperative development.

Discussions revealed that successful cooperatives require clear regulatory guidelines, access to low‑interest loans, and technical assistance for project planning. The presence of the World Bank and European Commission experts provided guidance on aligning Romanian legislation with EU standards, facilitating cross‑border knowledge transfer.

The event showcased a collaborative network involving ministries, European bodies, international NGOs and local government officials. This multi‑stakeholder approach is presented as essential for scaling cooperative housing models and achieving the EU’s sustainability targets for the built environment.

By promoting housing cooperatives, the initiative aims to increase the stock of socially affordable homes, improve housing quality, and enhance community resilience. The emphasis on sustainable construction practices aligns with broader EU objectives to reduce carbon emissions in the housing sector.

The workshop concluded with a call for continued dialogue, capacity‑building programmes and the establishment of pilot projects across Romanian regions. ACoR plans to monitor progress and report back to the World Bank and European Commission, fostering a feedback loop that could inform policy adjustments at the EU level.