‘Co-operate and we can change the world’ – theme revealed for Co‑op Congress and Co‑op Fortnight

‘Co-operate and we can change the world’ is taken from Tony Walsh’s poem This Beautiful Idea – a piece originally commissioned by Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival – and captures the spirit of co-operation at a time when communities, businesses and institutions are looking for fairer, more inclusive ways to grow and thrive.

The theme will be brought to life across two key moments in the co-operative calendar, beginning with a live Tony Walsh performance at Co-op Congress in June and continuing through Co-op Fortnight later that month. Co-operatives UK has commissioned additional lines which will be included in both the performance and the video released.

Co-op Congress: setting the direction

Co-op Congress brings together leaders, practitioners and innovators to explore shared challenges and opportunities and takes place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June in Birmingham. It is a space to set direction, exchange ideas and turn ambition into action. 

A raft of speakers have been announced so far, including:

• Tony Walsh (poet, performer and writer)
• Julie Hesmondhalgh (actor and author) 
• Richard Parker (Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority)
• Maria Cearns (Chief Operating Officer, The Co-operative Bank)
• Fraser Stewart (Head of Local Energy Strategy, Great British Energy)
• Amanda Newton (CEO, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing)
• Chris Hill, Co-Founder, The Arcade Group Dewsbury

Attendees can expect insightful discussions on the issues shaping the movement, including:

• The opportunities around the UK government’s Local Power Plan and Pride in Place programme
• Examples of people power in action 
• Inspiration and learnings from the West Midlands around worker ownership and creative co-operatives
• What the future of work looks like for co-operatives

See the line-up and timetable across the two days via the Co-op Congress hub.

Co-op Fortnight: celebrating co-operative impact

Co-op Fortnight 2026 runs from Monday 22 June to Sunday 5 July, offering co‑operatives across the UK a platform to showcase how they are making a difference.

Each year, hundreds of co‑operatives and community organisations take part by sharing stories, hosting events and engaging their members and communities. This year’s theme places a clear focus on the power of collective action, encouraging co‑operatives to demonstrate how working together creates meaningful change.

A filmed version of This Beautiful Idea will be released during Co‑op Fortnight for to help co‑operatives carry the message to a wider audience.

Through posting on social media, websites and in newsletters, co‑operatives are invited to share:

• The ways they support and strengthen their communities
• How they improve the lives of members, employees, customers or clients
• Examples of how co-operative principles are creating fairer, more empowering places to live and work

Digital campaign assets will be made available to help you to support participation, alongside opportunities to amplify stories across the wider movement.

Find out how to get involved with Co-op Fortnight 2026.

A shared moment for the movement

Together, Co‑op Congress and Co‑op Fortnight create a powerful narrative arc for the movement, from setting ambition to celebrating delivery. Make sure your co‑operative gets involved. By placing “Co‑operate and we can change the world” at the centre, we want our movement to highlight not just what co‑operatives do, but what they make possible when they act together.

Tony Walsh, poet and writer, and author of This Beautiful Idea said:

“I’m delighted that my poem has found a home with Co‑operatives UK and excited to be sharing it with members at this year’s Co‑op Congress.

“As a teenager I worked in a Norwest Pioneers Co‑op store for several years and I’m a proud member of a local food co‑op too. Themes of community, place and the world‑changing potential of ordinary people are prevalent in my work and I’m sure that we can summon up that spirit together in June.”

Get involved

• Co-op Congress, Friday 12-Saturday 13 June, Birmingham
• Co-op Fortnight, Monday 22 June-Sunday 5 July

“Co-operate and we can change the world” credit

This Beautiful Idea
Written and performed by Tony Walsh
© Longfella Ltd 2018
All rights reserved.