Cooperatives Europe Launches a New Dialogue Series on Crises and Recovery

We are pleased to announce a new dialogue series that looks at how cooperatives support communities facing conflict, disasters, and social disruption. The first episode of this series starts on 10 December, in recognition of UN Human Rights Day. It brings together partners from across Europe to reflect on how cooperative values help protect rights, rebuild trust, and support long-term recovery.  

About the series

“The Power of Cooperation in Advancing a Human Rights Economy in Crises” is a five-part dialogue series organised under #coops4dev🌍, running until mid-2026. 

With the UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC25) entering its final month, the first dialogue will take place on December 10th   on UN Human Rights Day.  The series reflects on the role of cooperative enterprises in reconciliation, reconstruction, and sustainable development across Europe. 

Cooperative enterprises are strongly aligned with the UN OHCHR’s vision of a human rights-based economy. Rooted in shared values and committed to reinvesting economic surplus locally, they place people’s needs and surroundings at the heart of their work. 

This session builds on the 2019 Cooperatives Europe “Cooperatives and Peace: Strengthening Democracy, Participation and Trust,” and joint 2025 URC high-level workshop “Cooperatives for the Reconstruction of Ukraine’s agri-food sector.” 

Read more about the series and the first dialogue in the concept note. 

Calendar

Dialogue 1 – Cooperating for human rights: resilient entrepreneurship in crises 
10th December 2025 at 14:00-15:30 CET
Webinar

Register through the following link
Click here to view the agenda

Dialogue 2 – Preparedness in crises: Cooperating for social rights
February 2026, 14:00-15:30 CET
Webinar

(TBC) Dialogue 3 – Community-building across borders: lessons from the UK & Northern Ireland
February/March 2026, Full day
Physical, Ireland

Dialogue 4 – Cooperating, adapting, responding: spotlight on environmental crises
March 2026, 14:00-15:30 CET
Webinar  

You should attend if you are

• Cooperatives Europe Members  
• Cooperative leaders worldwide
• An expert working on peace, reconciliation and reconstruction. 
• Interested in community-led reconstruction and recovery. 

Why participate? 

• See how cooperative principles can be applied to help communities recover from crises like conflicts or natural disasters. 
• Learn how cooperatives work with European actors in agriculture, energy, housing, and local services to rebuild communities. 
• Explore ways to make funding more participatory, so it truly benefits people in crisis-affected areas. 

This article has been co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of  Cooperatives Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.