UK shares in Co-operatives Fortnight success

For the last two weeks, from 25 June to 9 July, individuals and organisations across the country have contributed to making Co-operatives Fortnight 2011 an outstanding success.

Co-operatives Fortnight 2011, the second ever, was officially launched at Co-operative Congress 2011 in Birmingham, with nearly 1,000 delegates attending to learn, network and be inspired by co-operative action.

With its theme of 'Yours to Share', the Fortnight has seen people everywhere getting involved, to show how co-operatives share profits, give people an equal say and help build a better world. Provisional feedback shows that:

• Over 200 organisations ran Co-operatives Fortnight activities, from conferences to competitions, events to e-bulletins;

• Over 220,000 people talked about, promoted and heard about Co-operatives Fortnight on social media including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Starting with the co-operative sector 'trending' on Twitter, there has been a constant social media buzz;

• Over 70 media outlets covered the co-operative sector during the Fortnight – from coverage in local and trade media to national interest in the growth of the co-operative sector from the Financial Times to BBC Radio 5 Live;

• Seven activities took place for elected politicians in all devolved nations – from parliamentary debates and receptions to lectures and visits. All politicians received essential reading for the close of the Fortnight: The UK co-operative economy 2011;

• Over 30,000 activity packs, badges and pocket sized facts about co-operatives were used by activists, businesses and supporters to promote the Fortnight.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, which co-ordinates Co-operatives Fortnight, said:

"I would like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and contributions to this year's Co-operatives Fortnight.

"By coming together in a burst of energy for two weeks, the co-operative sector acts as a movement, showing everyone how they help build a better world."

Co-operatives UK will now begin a thorough evaluation of Co-operatives Fortnight which will be available by the end of the summer.