Looking back at 2024 and ahead to 2025: The International Year of Co-operatives

As we approach the end of 2024, I've an incredible sense of pride and excitement, writes Co-operatives UK CEO, Rose Marley. Together, we've advanced the co-operative movement in meaningful ways, positioning the sector for even greater impact on the 180th anniversary of the Rochdale Pioneers. With the Labour government committing to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual economy, we look towards a very special 2025, as we celebrate the United Nations' International Year of Co-operatives (IYC), with even more optimism. 

It was a huge honour to represent the UK movement at the official launch of the IYC, at the International Co-operative Alliance’s (ICA’s) Global Conference in New Delhi last week. I can tell you that the eyes of the world are on the UK because we are a beacon for the movement and this year is no exception.  

This year, we championed transformative policy work, united the co-operative and mutual sector, and supported our members with services and resources to help them flourish. We’ve also taken bold steps to ensure young people have a stake in the future of co-operatives.  

Advancing Policy for a Stronger Future 

 We've made significant progress over the past 12 months in terms of getting a business environment in place that enables co-operatives to thrive. A landmark opportunity to improve co-operative law (announced way back at Congress 2023) this week culminated in our response – a collaborate response from the entire movement - to the Law Commission. 

The Law Commission’s consultation addressed fundamental issues critical to modernising co-operative law, including capital raising and even the legal definition of a co-operative. In our response, which follows extensive consultation with members, experts, and the Law Commission itself, we've delivered a clear vision for enabling co-operatives to compete and thrive in today’s economy.  

Our persistence - our evidence of co-operative resilience, innovation and productivity (to name a few) is reaping rewards. We worked with our members ahead of the general election to present a bold petition to all political parties, offering a vision of inclusive, responsible, and wellbeing-enhancing growth. It was about highlighting what co-operatives bring – brilliant, innovative businesses that share power and wealth - and our top policy priorities such as capital raising and co-operative development were reflected in the Labour Party’s manifesto. 

The work aligned perfectly with our collaboration with the mutual sector to advocate for modern legislation and fair regulation. By working alongside partners including ABCUL, the Building Societies Association and Association of Financial Mutuals, we’ve laid the groundwork for a new era of co-operation - one that could redefine how our economy works. When we celebrate together it’s a bigger and better celebration. 

Doubling the Sector: A Shared Ambition 

The Labour party’s pledge to double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy is a powerful endorsement of our movement. We’ve given government a baseline for realising this ambition through our ground-breaking Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report. Next, we’ll help deliver this vision through our Co-operative Growth Strategy, set to launch in January 2025, subject to approval by our members through our Board of course. 

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ historic Mansion House address marked another milestone. The announcement of the Mutuals and Co-operative Business Council, where Co-operatives UK will play a key role, strengthens this new era of partnership between government and our sector. As I said at the time ‘we’re a step closer to a business environment that allows and encourages co-operatives and mutuals - businesses that do so much for people and communities - to grow and thrive’. 

For our part, as the UK apex body for co-operatives to the International Co-operative Alliance, we’ll continue to provide expertise across all facets of creating, converting to, and running member-owned business. And we ended 2024 with a record number of co-operatives in membership.  

Empowering Young People 

Youth engagement is at the heart of our vision for the future. This year, we launched our Youth Advisory Group to give diverse young voices a real say in how Co-operatives UK operates and grows. Announced at the National Youth Summit, this initiative is already sparking fresh ideas and energy as we empower the next generation of co-operative leaders. We are currenly recruiting for a youth ambassador to Co-operatives UK. 

Supporting Co-operatives to Grow 

Through community shares and our externally funded Booster Fund we’ve invested, to date, an incredible £4m in 88 co-operative and community organisations. We joined over 19,000 individual investors to ensure ownership and control of vital community assets and services moved into the hands of those people most invested in the long-term success of those assets and services. They’re organisations like Three Seas Cornwall, a community benefit society that’s providing affordable homes for local people to combat a local housing market that, as co-founder Simon Ryan says ‘isn’t just damaged, it’s destroyed’. A local couple equated their move into a Three Seas property as equivalent to winning the lottery. We’re making a tangible difference to people’s lives. 

Our Booster Fund has demonstrated the viability and impact of institutional investment – alongside community investment - in co-operatives. In fact, the fund has been so successful we’re making the case to government for a scaled-up Booster-style investment fund, within a new investment institution for the sector. The wider community shares market has raised over £230m. We’re proud of these achievements, but it could be just the beginning. With greater backing, we can unlock even more ambitious opportunities to grow the co-operative economy and drive transformative change in communities across the UK. 

All About Member Value 

Our commitment to our members has never been stronger. In 2024: 

• More than 300 members benefited through discounted advice services including full board reviews, bespoke HR support and rule amendments 
• We supported 120 new co-operatives to launch, helping expand the movement 
• Hundreds of people came together to share knowledge through our training events and programmes. 
• Our Business Support for Co-ops programme, funded by The Co-operative Bank, provided critical support to co-operatives like Proxi Education and Lancaster Music Co-op, enabling them to grow and thrive 

On that last point, since launching the Business Support programme in 2016 we’ve reached and inspired millions of people about co-operatives through our awareness raising campaigns, while nearly 500 groups have been offered direct support for their co-operative.  

Close to 700 co-ops have registered using our online incorporation tool since it was introduced in 2018. And The Co-operative Bank-funded programme is working. More than 80% of those existing and/or newly incorporated co-operatives that received the support are still trading 

We’ve also introduced new services, like risk management and data protection advice, ensuring that co-operatives have the tools to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Our Contact Package of support, which provides governance, HR, membership, finance and legal advice, has also grown in scope to include health and safety provisions.  

Tech and Digital Upgrade Powered by Members... For Members 

Through collaborative efforts of our members we’ve launched a range of exciting new website features that make it easier to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Outlandish Co-operative conducted research - engaging with many fellow Co-operatives UK members to understand needs - while Agile Collective delivered the improvements. And this is just the beginning. We’re committed to rolling out even more features in 2025, all shaped by member input. So what have we done? 

A new Co-op Directory: 

• A comprehensive map showcasing all UK co-operatives, with Co-operatives UK members featured prominently, visit uk.coop and ‘find a coop’ to see all of the UK’s co-operatives 

• A heat-map visualising the spread of co-operatives across the country

• Enhanced search tools for easier navigation

Improved member-only area: 

• Manage email subscriptions and directory details with ease

• Add links and, soon, upload your logo to your profile 

• Enjoy simple access with our new 'magic link' login feature 

These digital updates exemplify our dedication to providing real value for members and demonstrate the power of collaboration within the co-operative movement. By harnessing the expertise and input of our network, we’re not just adapting to change – we’re leading it. Get ready for more in 2025. 

Building a Better World in 2025 

As we look ahead to 2025, the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) provides an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the power of co-operation to build a better world. It is an opportunity we must take together, in a new era of co-operation. I was out in New Delhi, with friends and colleagues from Co-operative College, Co-operative News and Co-operative Heritage Trust – and members including Co-op Group and Midcounties Co-operative - for the launch of the IYC. We are in this together. 

With our Co-operative Growth Strategy, our role on the new Mutuals and Co-operative Business Council, and our youth-led initiatives, we are ready to lead the charge. And we will do this alongside our members; alongside co-operative infrastructure bodies; and in partnership with local and national government. 

Together, we’ve achieved so much in 2024. Now, let’s channel that momentum into a transformative 2025. The co-operative movement has always been about people working together to create a brighter future. Let’s make it happen, together