Celebrating the UN’s 2025 International Year of Co-operatives
In 2025, as the United Nations marks the second ever International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025), co-operatives worldwide will unite under the theme “Co-operatives Build a Better World.” This theme reflects the powerful and lasting impact that co-operatives have had in creating sustainable, resilient communities. Through this focus, the UN highlights co-operatives as essential partners in tackling global challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
As a peak body for co-operatives in Australia, The Co-op Federation is thrilled to support this historic celebration by hosting an Assembly of Co-ops.
“This is only the second time the UN has dedicated a year to cooperatives, and this is not a coincidence. Driven by concern for all communities, cooperatives have successfully adapted to overcome the evolving challenges of our time and have shown repeatedly throughout history that together we are indeed building a better world.” — Ariel Guarco, President of the International Cooperative Alliance.
IYC2025 offers a unique opportunity to increase the visibility of co-operatives globally and advocate for the supportive legal and policy frameworks that help these enterprises thrive. The International Cooperative Alliance will be leading this year-long celebration with a focus on:
- Raising awareness about co-operatives’ contributions to sustainable development,
- Promoting growth and resilience through capacity-building, partnerships, and shared knowledge,
- Advocating for a supportive environment to enable co-operative innovation and entrepreneurship,
- Inspiring young people to join and sustain the movement for a better, more inclusive world.
Join Australian co-operatives in celebrating the UN’s International Year of Co-operatives (IYC2025), themed “Co-operatives Build a Better World.” This event showcases how co-ops advance sustainable development and tackle global challenges.
Why Attend?
- Keynote Speakers & Panels: Featuring co-op leaders, experts and politicians including so far: Federal Assistant Minister Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Cathy Main (CEO) Barossa Co-op (South Australia), Liz Thomas (CEO) Common Equity Housing Ltd (Victoria), Christian Johansson (Chief Marketing Officer) Beyond Bank & Greg Patmore (Emeritus Professor) University of Sydney
- Interactive Un-Conference: Workshops and discussions on topics like sustainable food systems, co-op housing, agricultural supplies and Indigenous enterprise
- Youth Delegates: We are calling on co-ops to send youth delegates to the Assembly – you can also invest in the next generation of co-op leaders by sponsoring other young co-operators to attend
2025 is the perfect time to celebrate the power of co-operatives. This is an opportunity to come together, share knowledge, strengthen our sector, and showcase how co-operatives lead the way toward a more sustainable and equitable world.
Book now to join us on 20–21 March 2025 in Sydney for the Co-op Federation’s Assembly
Calling Co-ops to Empower Young People
Do you employ or engage young people in your co-op? We want their voices at the Assembly!
We’re inviting co-ops to sponsor young people (under 30) to attend this landmark event. Whether you support a young person from your own co-op or sponsor a future leader you’ve never met, we want to inspire and learn from the next generation of co-operative leaders.
Co-ops have an incredible ability to last well beyond the involvement of their original founders, spanning across generations. Today, we’re seeing a new wave of young entrepreneurs eager to embrace co-ops as a more ethical, collaborative, and fairer business model. At the Co-op Federation, we’re noticing this growing interest in co-ops, with new ones being formed right now by a generation that wants to do business differently. We want to bring these two forces together—honouring the legacy of long-standing co-ops while succession planning for the future and inspiring the next wave of leaders. Let’s make this happen at this pivotal moment!
Call for Applications
Are you under 30 years old and passionate about the co-operative movement? Or is your organisation interested in sponsoring the next generation of co-operative leaders?
We’re seeking:
- Youth Delegates (under 30): Apply to be sponsored to attend our Assembly.
- Organisations: Sponsor a youth delegate (from your organisation or another) and invest in the future of co-operatives.
📅 Expression of Interest Deadline: Friday, 31 January 2025
👉 Submit your EOI here: Complete the EOI
Shape Day 2 – Your Input Needed
Day 2 of the Assembly (Friday, 21 March) will be an interactive “un-conference” with sector-specific gatherings, meetings, and workshops.
We’re seeking your ideas for topics, challenges, or opportunities to include in the program. Key ideas raised so far include:
- Agriculture: Growing resilience in farming communities.
- Food: Building sustainable food systems through co-operation.
- Housing: Exploring co-operative solutions to the housing crisis.
- Indigenous Enterprise: Strengthening opportunities for Indigenous-led self-determination.
- Climate: The impact upon co-operatives and co-ops creating solutions.
Whether it’s a workshop, meeting, or topic-specific hackathon, whatever you can imagine, we want to work with you to make it happen.
📅 Contribution Deadline: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
👉 Submit your input here: Complete Form
For questions, contact Peter Tregilgas: 📧 peter@fed.coop 📞 0400 191 054
Stay tuned for more updates on our conference, showcasing how Australian co-operatives build a better world, one step at a time.