United Nations International Year of Co-operatives
2025 was a big year for co-operatives. In the UK, the Government committed to doubling the size of the co-operative economy and around the world, we celebrated the 180th birthday of the modern Co-operative Movement and the second United Nations (UN) International Year of Co-ops.
Co-ops help to build a better world because they are owned by their members or workers. Together, they make a difference on the things that they collectively care about and that are affecting people and planet.
We're more than just a local shop or business
As a member, you own a piece of Co-op and can play your part in what we do and how we do it throughout the year. To help you understand what we mean when we say we're owned by and do right by you, our National Members' Council has championed a programme of online opportunities to help you learn about your Co-op and its difference so that you can feel proud to be part of something bigger that you shape.
In 2025, we created activities and resources to empower you to use, choose, start and grow co-ops in the UK and around the world and help us build inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities and economies for the future. These were all themes for the UN International Year of Co-ops. Visit the website to find out more.
To catch up on the videos we shared, visit our YouTube Channel for our full UN International Year of Co-ops video playlist.
What is a co-op?
Tom Laing, member of the Co-op Young Members' Group and the Co-op National Members' Council, tells us more about what a co-operative is, the different kinds of co-ops out there, and what gives them all a unique difference through the lens of his role at Co-ops UK.
Find out more about what makes a co-op a co-op with Co-ops UK.
Co-operative Values & Principles
Lois McClure, Co-op Colleague and Co-op National Members' Council Member, tells us more about Co-operative Values & Principles and how they guide a different, co-operative way of doing business at the heart of our Co-op.
Take a look at our handy infographic for the 7 principles and 10 values that all co-ops follow.
How are co-ops creating inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies?
At Co-op, we work with many co-operatives and partners around the world to help producers, farmers and suppliers with running inclusive, resilient and sustainable businesses that improve the lives of their workers and their communities. And through our campaigning, we champion co-operation to tackle the inequalities people are facing and bring them together to make a difference.
We caught up with colleagues in our Food Policy Team to update our member-owners on how our partnerships are ensuring water security in communities that are contributing the least to Climate Change but bearing the brunt of the extreme changes in weather. And as our members have backed and shaped our support for Fairtrade from the start, we also produced a video that shines a light on how we're building a better world together when we choose Fairtrade.
Watch our videos below and grab a Fairtrade product or Co-op own-brand water bottle the next time you're in store or shopping online.
The co-operative way of water
Fairtrade and co-ops build a better world together
Co-operation returns to where it all began
In July, our Co-op and Co-operatives UK, which represents thousands of co-ops across the country, welcomed worldwide co-operators to special events hosted across Rochdale and Manchester.
The Festival of Co-operation saw the largest gathering of international co-operative leaders in over a decade in the UK. We brought them back to the birthplace of co-operation, with an opportunity to learn more about the Rochdale Pioneers, who founded the modern Co-operative Movement back in 1844.
Watch this short video, which captures the week's celebrations, and learn more about what happened.