Co-operation returns to Manchester and Rochdale, where it all began

This year is the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives, and to mark it, our Co-op and Co-operatives UK – which represents thousands of independent co-ops across the country – recently welcomed world-wide co-operators to special events hosted across Rochdale and Manchester.  

The Festival of Co-operation saw the largest gathering of international co-operatives leaders in over a decade in the UK, bringing them back to the birthplace of co-operation, with an opportunity to learn more about the Rochdale Pioneers who founded the co-operative movement back in 1844. 

What happened over the Festival?  

The five-day programme included visits to our Food stores, Co-op Academies, other local co-operatives and the Rochdale Pioneers Museum. 

Leaders of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) also had their general assembly in Manchester City Council Chambers, to consider what more co-operation can do to build a better world, through greater social and economic support. This was followed by a big reception at our own support centre, for hundreds of co-operators to meet, share ideas and forge new relationships, as well as a meeting of the CM50, where we hosted the CEOs of some of the largest co-ops in the world. 

We were especially honoured to welcome Ariel Guarco and Jeroen Douglas – the President and Director-General of the ICA, which acts as the voice of three million co-operatives worldwide, with 280 million workers and more than 1 billion members. 

Our CEO Shirine unveiled a plaque as part of the reception to commemorate the life of Eliza Brierley, the first female Rochdale Pioneer, but also as a tribute to a brilliant Festival of Co-operation, which brought so much energy, innovation and opportunity to our home town.   

Even for our Co-op – the UK’s largest co-operative business, with 56,000 colleagues and 6.5 million active members – the festival offered our leaders an important new perspective, key learnings and undeniable inspiration to how we can continue to give more valve back to our member-owners & their communities going forward. 

To find out more about what else we have planned to celebrate the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, visit Play your part in the 2025 UN International Year of Co-ops – Co-op