It’s Co-op Fortnight and we have so much to celebrate.
Co-op fortnight celebrates co-operatives across the world, making a difference and putting people first in everything they do.
Co‑op Fortnight 2025 takes place from Monday 23 June to Sunday 6 July, and is extra special this year as we move throught the UN’s International Year of Co-operatives!
Co-op fortnight celebrates co-operatives across the world, making a difference and putting people first in everything they do.
This year’s theme is #CoopHeroes. We’re focusing on the inspiring stories of people whose lives have been made better by co‑ops, and individuals in co‑ops making other people’s lives better – the living proof that co-operatives make a huge positive difference in the world!
What is a co-op hero?
A Co-op Hero is a Member, colleague, customer or supporter whose life has been improved by their involvement with a co-operative. Or someone involved in initiatives that have improved the lives of others.
Every co-operative has a brilliant story to tell. Putting individuals involved in co-ops at the centre of those stories is a powerful way to highlight the unique role co-operatives play in addressing social, environmental and economic challenges.
We’ll share stories from passionate Central Co-op colleagues from across the Society throughout this fortnight.
UN International Year of Co-operatives
The United Nations (UN) has designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives because of the impact of co-operatives globally in addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
Central Co-op - building a better world
Central Co-op, in collaboration with leading UK co-operatives, including Co-op Group, Central Co-op, The Midcounties Co-operative, Lincolnshire Co-op, and Co-operatives UK, launched the The Fund for International Co-operative Development, the first of its kind, in the lead up to the UN year of Co-operatives. The fund will support communities worldwide in rebuilding after crises and fosters peace.
Our Malawi Partnership
...is a uniquely co-operative Principle 6 approach. It builds on Malawi’s strong co-operative history and desire to be self-sufficient and also the UK retail co-op movement’s longstanding support for producer communities.
Its goal is to sustainably move Malawian communities out of abject poverty and engage UK co-operative Members, communities and partners in this journey. The initiative supports UN Global Sustainability goals as well as Malawi’s future vision.
The initiative has achieved so much since we launched on the 100th International Day of Co-operatives on the 2nd of July 2022, and it’s all thanks to the Members, customers, colleagues and partners who have chosen to buy from the Our Malawi Partnership range of products found in our stores.
Since we launched, the initiative has focussed on -
• Economic Empowerment • Governance and Gender Inclusion • Climate Action • Co-operative Stakeholder Engagement • UK Impact and Engagement.
Through Our Malawi Partnership, we’ve -
· Developed a Malawi-related product range sold in all stores.
· Significantly increased coffee and macadamia production.
· Trained hundreds of farmers in organic fertiliser and good agricultural practice.
· Supplied Co-op Union members with thousands of macadamia seedlings.
· Supported female farmers in growing, sustaining and selling their crops.
· Created Malawi’s first tea co-operative union.
· Strengthened Co-op Unions across sectors.
· Successfully lobbied for a revised national co-operative policy, endorsed by Malawi’s Cabinet
· Provided training on co-operative governance, finance and leadership.
· Brought cleaner water to 37,000 people though One Foundation’s ‘Beyond Boreholes’ programme.
· Facilitated Highland Macadamia Co-op Union back into Fairtrade status.
· Launched the UK’s first Fairtrade certified macadamia nut product.
· Worked with National Rural Electric Co-op on a clean energy programme.
· Worked with CIC Malawi to build a new micro-insurance health product for rural women.
· Worked with Climate Action Co-op on an environmental tree planting pledge.
· Explored potential new products for the UK market.
. . . and much more!
Co-op Congress
Co-op Congress is the UK’s biggest and boldest gathering of co‑operatives – an annual event where the Co‑operative Movement comes together to inspire, connect and drive change.
This year we’ve we’re delighted to welcome two of our key international account managers from the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives (MAFECO) to the UK to meet co-operators and stakeholders in person.
MAFECO’s Executive Director, John Mulangeni Nkosi and Project Manager, Jeruzye Munthali will visit our Support Centre in Lichfield, meet with co-op colleagues, see the Malawi range in our stores, have a tour of one of our funeral homes and talk to pupils at a local Lichfield primary school.
After this, they will head up to Manchester and Rochdale for a packed agenda including networking at Co-op Congress in Rochdale and the ICA's Festival of Co-oparation on Manchester. John and Jeruzye will also deliver a session on the origins and mission of MAFECO, how Our Malawi Partnership has improved the lives of farmers and communities, and will invite other Co-operators to support the initiative.
Special reception at 10 Downing Street
This month, our Chief Executive, Debbie Robinson and President, Elaine Dean joined co-op and mutual leaders from across the UK for a special reception at 10 Downing Street.
The event reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual sector - a pledge that signals real momentum behind people-powered business. This comes at a pivotal time, with 2025 declared as the UN International Year of Co-operatives.
We're especially pleased to see the launch of a new call for evidence on co-operatives and mutuals, which bring a valuable opportunity for Societies like ours to share ideas that help co-ops scale, succeed and serve more communities.
Get involved
Look out for activity you can get involved in throughout Co-op Fortnight, we have events, competitions, and special offers available to Members across our trading estate.