CoopsDay 2025: Celebrating The Power of Collective Action – Cooperatives Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions
Image by The Yuri Arcurs Colection on Freepik
Every year, the first Saturday of July marks the International Day of Cooperatives, a global celebration of democratic, people-centered businesses that prioritize purpose over profit. In 2025, this celebration takes on even greater importance, as it aligns with the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025). This year’s theme — “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World” — powerfully underscores how cooperatives are leading the way in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
Our initiative that embodies this vision is CREASSE (Fostering Rural and Inclusive Social and Solidarity Economy), an Erasmus+ project that champions collective entrepreneurship and community-driven development across rural regions in Spain, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, and Albania.
A Time for Change — Why Cooperatives Matter in 2025
Cooperatives are not new. But in a world shaped by overlapping crises—economic inequality, rural depopulation, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic—their relevance is being rediscovered. These member-owned organizations operate with a mission to serve people and the planet, rather than profit alone. And they work: cooperatives have proven more resilient during crises, more inclusive in their governance, and more committed to sustainable development.
In fact, the European Commission’s Social Economy Action Plan (2021) acknowledges the growing role of SSE actors—including cooperatives, mutual societies, social enterprises, and community organizations—in shaping Europe’s future. These organizations are vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to decent work, reduced inequalities, and strong communities.
As we face accelerating inequality, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation, cooperative models stand out for their capacity to offer practical, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. Their core principles—shared ownership, democratic control, and local empowerment—make cooperatives a natural fit for communities seeking to build resilience and solidarity from the ground up.
In recognition of this potential, the European Commission’s Social Economy Action Plan and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals highlight the role of cooperatives and the broader Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in reshaping our economies and societies.
From Awareness to Action: A Model for Scaling Change
CREASSE is actively contributing to the cooperative movement’s call for scaling up inclusive and sustainable solutions. With activities ranging from focus group cafés to European exchanges of success stories, the project strengthens networks and inspires action across borders.
One of the project’s most innovative elements is its Alliances Mapping activity, which visually charts the interconnections between SSE actors — from cooperatives and NGOs to training institutions and public bodies. This tool not only strengthens collaboration within the ecosystem but also allows communities to leverage existing resources and knowledge for greater impact.
Meanwhile, the CREASSE learning path is tailored to bridge the skills gap for aspiring SSE entrepreneurs, especially in underserved rural areas where traditional business support is lacking.
Celebrating CoopsDay 2025: A Collective Future
The International Day of Cooperatives is not only a celebration — it’s a call to action. As we mark CoopsDay 2025, CREASSE shows us what’s possible when communities are empowered, networks are activated, and purpose is prioritized alongside economic sustainability.
It is a living example of the 2025 theme in action: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World — not in theory, but on the ground, in rural towns and villages, through workshops, mentoring, and peer support.
Join the conversation!
How are cooperatives transforming your community? Use the hashtags #CoopsDay #CREASSEproject #SocialEconomy #CooperativesBuildABetterFuture
