Call for the Inclusion of Cooperative Business Models in European Education Initiatives

In the European Union, educational systems often overlook the diversity of business models, including the cooperative model, all of which deserve equal attention. Recognizing these models would enable younger generations to discover business ideas based on values that simultaneously address economic and social needs.

Therefore, the European cooperative movement urges the Commission to take account of the cooperative dimension and the plurality of business models in general in its education-related programmes and initiatives.

Highlights of the Call:

• Educational Inclusion: Cooperatives Europe advocates for the inclusion of cooperative models and their values and principles in all levels of education.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The initiative emphasizes the importance of integrating cooperative entrepreneurship into key EU programs such as Erasmus+, aligning with EU goals for creativity, innovation, and inclusive growth.
• Collaboration: Cooperatives Europe emphasises the need for partnerships between educational institutions and the cooperative sector to foster a practical understanding of cooperative business models.

A Call to Action: Cooperatives Europe aims to capture the European Commission’s focus on the pivotal role of cooperatives and, more broadly, the spectrum of business models within school and higher education curricula. Emphasizing these models could significantly contribute to the overarching goal of EU education policy, to enhance creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

We invite our members to promote and support this call through their own communication channels or within their membership. The initiative provides ideas and guidance for adaptation to the national contexts. This document can also be utilized in your contacts or actions in anticipation of the European elections, reinforcing the importance of cooperatives in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

Download the call below.