A historic year for co-operation: Read Rose Marley's end-of-year blog

As we look ahead to 2026, we should also reflect with real pride on what we have achieved together in this historic United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, writes Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK. The UK has always been a beacon for co-operation. From the Rochdale Pioneers to our world-class community shares model, we have shaped what co-operation looks like globally. But this year has shown something more. It has shown the strength, ambition and unity of a movement that is ready to grow, ready to lead and ready to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society. 

Our members, partners and communities have driven this momentum. Everything we have achieved in 2025 has been a shared achievement, and everything we will achieve in 2026 relies on that same collective power. That, for me, is the true value of being part of Co-operatives UK.

Shaping a new era for co-operative policy

This has been one of the most significant policy years in recent times. 

In November’s Budget it was announced that the Department for Business and Trade was launching arguably the most important consultation on co-operative development in decades. We knew this was in the pipeline – and officials now want evidence to enable start-up, scale-up and mutualisation. We’re delighted to lead a sector response and are inviting all members to participate.  

It follows on from government reaffirming its ambition to double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy. It’s a massive vote of confidence. Our Co-operative and Mutual Economy report, supported by Co-op Group, provides the baseline and an evidence base, while our Co-operative Growth Strategy offers a practical roadmap for delivering it. 

The Law Commission’s review of co-operative law, something our movement has sought for decades, is also now well underway. This is a huge opportunity to create a legal framework that supports modern co-operatives to grow, to raise capital responsibly and to protect their identity. This could be a game-changer for the next century of co-operatives. 

It’s clear that our influence is growing. Within the Mutuals and Co-operative Business Council, alongside sector partners, we are ensuring that co-operatives and mutuals have a strong voice where it matters most. It is another example of our partnership work – and that remains crucial. With ABCUL, the Building Societies Association, Employee Ownership Association, the Association of Financial Mutuals and others, we are building a united front to bring about modern legislation and fairer regulation. Together, we are shaping a new era for co-operative business. 

Doubling the co-operative economy: A shared national mission 

This ambition is not just about numbers. It is about shifting the UK economy toward greater fairness, resilience and shared prosperity. 

Co-operatives UK exists to help make this ambition a reality. Through our expertise in governance, HR, finance, membership, legal structures and development, we support thousands of co-operatives every year to grow stronger. And the results speak for themselves.

In 2025 we: 

• Helped shape the most significant review of co-operative law in decades, strengthening the sector’s voice in national policymaking
• Supported over 150 new co-operatives to launch
• Provided solutions to +380 members through discounted advice services
• Welcomed hundreds of people to attend our events – with 1,500 registrations in total – from training to networking to national conferences
• Achieved record membership numbers, strengthening our voice as the apex body for UK co-operatives 

Young people and the future of co-operation 

One of the most inspiring developments this year has been our work with young people. New research at the start of the year showed that Gen Z demands workplaces with purpose, fairness and voice – and co-operatives fit the bill more than any other business model.

Through our Youth Advisory Group, Youth Summit and new youth ambassador role, we are ensuring that young people have a real influence over the future of our organisation and movement. We have equipped our youth advisers with new knowledge and international connections – supporting them to learn from co-operators across Europe and shape emerging youth-led ideas here in the UK. 

The values of young people align naturally with co-operative principles, so this work gives me huge optimism for what lies ahead. This is more than engagement. It is succession planning for generations to come. 

Celebrating our global movement at Co-op Congress 

This year’s Co-op Congress was one of our biggest, boldest and most global yet. As the longest-running co-operative conference in the world, Congress once again brought the movement together to share insight, celebrate achievement and look ahead to our shared future. 

Held in Rochdale, the birthplace of the modern movement, Congress welcomed delegates from 40 countries and featured powerful contributions from a diverse range of speakers leaders including actor and comedian Steve Coogan, economic commentator Grace Blakeley and Dr Ariel Guarco, President of the International Co-operative Alliance. 

The energy, ideas and global solidarity we experienced in Rochdale underline something important: the UK is not only the home of co-operation, it continues to be one of its leading voices. 

Building co-operative solutions to society’s toughest challenges 

We’ve always argued that when people face entrenched problems – from housing shortages to care sector failures – co-operation offers practical, people-powered alternatives. This year we demonstrated that in powerful ways.

Our partnership with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies and others exposed the scale of extraction in the care sector, where private equity has taken millions out of essential services. Co-operatives provide a different answer: care that puts dignity, community and reinvestment first. 

We are also working closely with city regions to test new approaches to co-operative economic development. The proposed Middleton Co-operative Mayoral Development Corporation in Greater Manchester is a major step forward. It has the potential to show how co-operatives can drive regeneration, revitalise high streets and embed community wealth building, offering a new kind of place-based blueprint for others to follow. 

In the West Midlands we’ve a complementary story. Our West Midlands Ownership Hub partnership shows strong demand for co-operative and employee ownership, with new democratic businesses starting and growing through support they could not have accessed elsewhere. It demonstrates how regional leadership, backed by co-operative expertise, can provide a proven blueprint for expanding co-operative development more widely. 

And for the International Year of Co-operatives, we created a new film that all our members can use. It celebrates our movement and equips co-operatives with a shared story to induct new members and also tell the public: co-operatives are owned by their members and work for their communities.  

Growing co-operatives on the ground 

The growth we are seeing is real and it is community led. 

The community shares market has now raised more than £240 million from over 183,000 investors. This includes match investment through our Community Shares Booster Fund, which in 2025 saw another record number of applications. Our Booster investments are increasingly reaching communities in areas of higher deprivation – and for every pound we’ve invested communities raised an additional £3.70.  

Behind every statistic is a story – and it’s a successful one. This year alone we supported communities to save heritage buildings, develop multi-sport facilities, protect music venues and create supported housing.  

These are not abstract contributions. They change lives, strengthen neighbourhoods and keep essential assets in the hands of the people who need them most. They are also here to stay. An incredible 91.3% of co-operatives that launched Standard Mark accredited share offers – those that meet national standards of good practice – are still going strong today. When we’re invested in a co-operative we’re invested in it’s long-term success. And we are delighted to receive new three year funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to support out community shares activities from 2026.

Talking long-term, our longstanding Business Support for Co-ops programme, funded by The Co-operative Bank, continues to provide critical support to organisations like Proxi Education and Lancaster Music Co-op. Since the programme launched in 2016, it has inspired millions of people about co-operatives and provided direct support to nearly 500 groups. 

This is what co-operative growth looks like when it reaches the ground. 

Looking ahead to 2026 

The International Year of Co-operatives has given our movement renewed energy, visibility and a global voice. The foundation we have built together is strong. Now comes the important part: choosing what we build next.