A significant time for co-operation
The theme of this year’s UN Peace Day was “action for peace” and we’re asking you to take action.
This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight falls within the UN’s international year of co-operatives and together, we strive to build a better world.
Co-ops continue to champion fair trading across the globe to ensure farmers not only receive a fair price for the crops they grow but also have safer working conditions and improved resilience in the face of the mounting threat of climate change.
Co-ops are working together to change the lives of the people who produce the products we rely on.
As we celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight we invite you to learn more so you can make a meaningful difference and 'Do it Fair'!
Significant growth
The newly published Co-operative and Mutual Economy Report 2025 reveals record-breaking figures. With a contribitoin worth £179.2bn to the UK's economy through more than 10,000 businesses, 68m memberships providing 1.3m jobs, the co-operative business model proves to be resilient, fairer, and firmly rooted in communities.
Despite unprecedented global challenges experienced across all industries, the co-operative and mutual sector has seen a 5.5% increase in income this year.
The combined number of organisations has risen from 9,497 to 10,119 – a 6.5% increase, and we've seen a 30% growth in employee-owned businesses plus a 51% increase in community owned pubs amongst many other impressive stats.
Businesses owned and run for the benefit of their members also survive longer. 82% of co-operative new-starts survive those first, typically tougher, five years of business, compared to just 39% of UK businesses generally.
This is all possible due to the Member-owners (like you) who see the power of co-operation, believe in community ownership and continue to put their money where their values are.
"There is a huge opportunity to redistribute power and wealth in the UK and co-operatives and mutuals can lead the charge, especially in the context of the government’s manifesto commitment to double the sector’s size."
"This report sets out the evidence, the impact and the opportunities ahead. I invite you to explore it and join us in building a bigger, stronger co-operative and mutual economy."
Rose Marley CEO Co-operatives UK
Read the full report HERE
Significant change
Sunday 21st September was the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. It was a time to reflect on what peace means, what makes it possible and how we each play a part in shaping it.
We live in a world where conflict feels ever-present, but peace is not something out of reach. It is something we can build through co-operation, community and commitment.
Around the world, co-operatives are helping to lay the foundations for peace.
· In Guatemala, they provide livelihoods and stability for communities torn apart affected by conflict.
· In Rwanda and Bosnia, they create safe, practical ways for people to work side by side after war.
· Last year co-ops got together to launch the Fund for International Co-operative Development. Its purpose - to unite co-operatives across the globe in a shared vision to address humanitarian crises, promote peace, and build economic resilience through international co-operative development and trade.
· Learn more HERE
In each case, it is not grand gestures but day-to-day co-operation that makes progress possible.
This is what co-operation looks like in action.
You can make a difference.
We’re inviting you to sign a petition calling for more UK government funding for co-operatives as part of international development policy.
Supporting organisations that create long-term stability, we’ll -
· Encourage local ownership.
· Build economic resilience.
· Promote social cohesion.
It is about people having shared purpose, shared opportunity, and a voice in shaping their futures.
As a co-op, we’ll continue to support international co-operatives through our partnerships and campaigning. We have always believed in co-operation as a force for good. In the current climate, that belief feels more relevant than ever.
The theme of this year’s UN Peace Day was “action for peace” and we’re asking you to take action now.
Please sign this petition before the 29th October 2025.
Petition link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/724897