National Youth Summit 2026
The National Youth Summit 2026 takes place on Saturday 13 June 2026 in Birmingham. It brings young people together for a day of ideas, action and connection.
The National Youth Summit is a free event for young people aged 16 to 30 who want to work together to build a fairer future.
Organised by Co-operatives UK, the Summit is for anyone interested in new ways of living, working and organising. You might already be part of a co-operative; are curious about how co-operatives work; or simply motivated to help build something better.
The Summit takes place on Saturday 13 June, from 9.30am to 4.30pm in Birmingham, alongside Co-op Congress, the UK co-operative sector’s annual conference.
There is also an optional National Youth Summit Social on Friday 12 June, from 6pm until late. Details will be shared soon.
National Youth Summit programme
The full National Youth Summit programme is still to be announced, but an outline programme is below:
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 12 June | 6pm-late | Pre-event Youth Summit Social – free to attend, details to be confirmed. |
| Saturday 13 June | 9.30am-4.30pm | Full programme of panels and workshop at both the National Youth Summit and Co-op Congress. |
How to book
Book your place for the National Youth Summit 2026 by selecting the Youth Ticket that matches the days you want to attend. Any questions, contact [email protected].
Travel and accommodation bursary support is also available. Tick the box on the booking form if you want to hear more about support.
Book through this form and select the Youth Ticket that works best for you.
Youth Ticket – Saturday only: Free
This ticket gives you access to:
- National Youth Summit on Saturday 13 June and Co-op Congress on Saturday 13 June (9.30am-4.30pm)
- National Youth Summit Social on Friday 12 June (6pm-late)
This is the best option if you want to attend the free Youth Summit and optional Friday evening social.
Youth Ticket - Friday only: £65+VAT
For the first time, this year we're offering young people a discounted ticket to Friday Congress, giving you 50% off. It includes:
- Co-op Congress on Friday 12 June (9.30am-4.30pm)
- One optional Friday evening activity: either the National Youth Summit Social or the Co-op Congress International Supper (6pm-late)
If you also want to attend the National Youth Summit sessions, select the below ticket.
Youth Ticket - Friday and Saturday: £65+VAT
For the first time, this year we're offering young people a discounted ticket to Friday Congress, giving you 50% off. It includes, and this ticket gives free access on Saturday to the National Youth Summit and Co-op Congress.
It includes:
- Co-op Congress during the day on Friday 12 June (9.30am-4.30pm)
- Friday evening activity: either the National Youth Summit Social or the Co-op Congress International Supper (6pm-late)
- National Youth Summit on Saturday 13 June and Co-op Congress on Saturday 13 June (9.30am-4.30pm)
This is the best option if you want to attend both days.
Youth Summit timetable
Time | Session or activity |
|---|---|
08:30 | Refreshments and networking in the Exhibitors Zone |
09:30 | Welcome to Co-op Congress |
| Rose Marley (CEO, Co-operatives UK). | |
09:45-11:00 | Co-ops 101: what they are and why they matter |
| Are you completely new to co-ops? This friendly introductory session explores the basics of the co-operative model, from shared ownership and democratic decision-making to the different types of co-ops operating across the economy today. Discover how co-operatives are helping people create fairer businesses, stronger communities and more resilient local economies. | |
11:00-11:30 | Refreshments and networking in the Exhibitors Zone |
11:30-12:30 | What can we build instead? Interactive roundtables |
| Join small group discussions hosted by people working on the issues that matter to you. Together, you’ll explore key challenges, share ideas, and imagine practical ways to build a better alternative future. Tackling some of the key problems young people face, from unemployment to housing, ownership to the loss of third spaces and the climate emergency, we’ll come together to ask what it means to build an economy based on participation, fairness and democracy. | |
12:30-14:00 | Lunch and networking in the Exhibitors Zone |
| Lunch will be served at 12:30 and then an optional networking session where you can meet people from across the co-op sector will take place in the Youth Summit room from 13:00. | |
14:00-15:00 | Action Sessions 1: practical workshops |
Choose from 2 workshops: | |
Participatory Democracy Workshop Led by Oli Whittington (Participatory Democracy practitioner) At a time of growing division, distrust and political frustration, what role can democratic organisations play in helping people feel heard, connected and empowered? This interactive workshop dreams up a new type of democracy - one that starts and ends with people. You’ll play a political imagination game to imagine and demand a democracy that works for everyone - and how you can bring this to life in your community. Explore how democratic ownership, participation and community action can strengthen belonging, challenge isolation and create spaces where people have a real stake in the future of their communities – and how this brings people together. | |
Start Something Different: The Co-operative Way Hosted by Dane Pollard (Co-operatives UK) and Rhys Evans (Co-operatives UK) Thinking about starting something new? This workshop will help you explore whether a co-operative structure is the right fit for your idea. Learn about different ownership models, the principles behind co-ops and the practical questions to consider when building a business, collective or community venture. | |
15:00-15:15 | Refreshments in the Exhibitors Zone (short break) |
15:15-16:15 | Action Sessions 2: Practical workshops |
Choose from 3 workshops: | |
Places that belong to us: Building community spaces Hosted by Lenny Watson (Sister Midnight Community Venues) Across the UK, communities are bringing pubs, shops, cultural venues, workspaces and local buildings back into community hands. This workshop explores how co-operative and community ownership can help create vibrant local spaces that strengthen connection, support local enterprise and give people a greater say in shaping places. | |
People-powered energy: Co-ops, climate and work Facilitated by LC Awolaja (Repowering London) From community-owned renewable energy to new forms of green enterprise, co-operatives are helping communities respond to the climate crisis while creating decent work and local resilience. This workshop explores how democratic ownership can support a just transition to a greener economy that works for people as well as the planet. | |
Creative art workshop Hosted by Caterpillar Press Worker Co-operative Join Stockport-based Worker Co-operative Caterpillar Press for this interactive workshop centred on creativity - and learn more about how co-ops can provide an alternative model for young creatives. | |
16:15-16:30 | Close of Co-op Congress & National Youth Summit 2026 |
Book your Youth Ticket
What is the National Youth Summit?
The National Youth Summit is a day of sessions, workshops and activities designed for young people. You can expect:
- Starter sessions to spark ideas and conversations
- The return of the interactive 'Talk-Shop'
- Afternoon workshops on real-world topics, including building community spaces, green jobs and starting a co-operative
- Opportunities to meet other young people interested in co-operation and social change
Youth Ticket holders can also access Co-op Congress, providing an opportunity to join leaders, grassroots innovators and everything in between to shape how co-operatives grow, collaborate and lead on today’s biggest challenges.
Keep up to date
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