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Cooperatives Europe

Cooperatives Europe represents and promotes the interests of cooperative enterprises and their democratic business model across Europe.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Valentina Schaumburger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné)

2 Oct 2025 · Exchange of views on the role of the cooperative model in the single market

Cooperatives Europe Urges Inclusion in New EU Business Rules

30 Sept 2025
Topic — The EU is proposing a single legal framework for innovative businesses to operate cross-border.
Message — Cooperatives Europe requests that the new framework allows cooperative enterprises to opt into the rules. They advocate for governance features like asset locks and harmonized rules for debt instruments.12
Why — This would allow cooperatives to raise capital while preventing external investors from taking control.3
Impact — Private investors lose the ability to acquire voting rights in these funded companies.4
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Association Nationale des Sociétés par Actions

15 Sept 2025 · 28th Regime

Cooperatives Europe Urges Inclusion of Social Economy in Strategy

4 Sept 2025
Topic — A comprehensive framework to strengthen engagement and support for civil society actors.
Message — They call for a broad definition of civil society including cooperatives. The Strategy should address funding cuts and ensure structured dialogues.123
Why — Recognition ensures that cooperatives are formally involved in policy implementation.45
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Meeting with Jakub Boratynski (Director Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

17 Jul 2025 · Discussion on the applicability of the 28th regime for European Cooperatives

Response to Mid-Term Review: Social Economy Action Plan

16 Jul 2025

Cooperatives Europe is the European cross-sectoral organisation representing cooperative enterprises and the regional office of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). We advocates for an economy that serves people and promotes the cooperative business model, as a locally rooted and democratically owned business. We welcome this consultation and the intention of the European Commission to assess the implementation level of the SEAP since its adoption in 2021. While many changes have taken place in Member States in favour of the social economy, many areas still require further and deeper actions (both at EU and national level): increased investments, cross-sectoral and interministerial coordination, more favourable legal frameworks, among others. Cooperatives Europe provides further inputs from its members and recommendations in the document attached.
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Meeting with Leila Chaibi (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

22 Apr 2025 · HOUS related issues

Cooperatives Europe urges social focus in Single Market Strategy

31 Jan 2025
Topic — The consultation concerns the development of a competitive and integrated EU single market.
Message — The group calls for simplified legal frameworks to encourage cross-border initiatives and boost funding. They oppose delays to sustainability reporting while seeking to limit data demands on small firms.123
Why — Harmonized legal standards would reduce costs and administrative uncertainty for transnational cooperative business operations.4
Impact — Large companies lose flexibility if voluntary reporting standards become a legal cap on supplier data.5
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Meeting with Cecilia Strada (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Dec 2024 · Priorities of cooperatives and social economy actors for the next 5 years

Meeting with Lynn Boylan (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Nov 2024 · Cooperative Development in the EU

Meeting with Lynn Boylan (Member of the European Parliament) and Climate Action Network Europe and Friends of the Earth Europe

15 Oct 2024 · Facilitating an exchange between Bohemians Climate Coop and NGOs

Meeting with Eero Heinäluoma (Member of the European Parliament) and Wolt

6 Sept 2024 · Current Affairs

Meeting with Idoia Mendia (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Sept 2024 · Meeting with Cooperatives Europe

Response to Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT)

24 Jan 2024

Cooperatives Europe is the European cross-sectoral organisation representing cooperative enterprises as well as the regional office of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). On behalf of its 86 member organisations from 34 European countries across all business sectors, it promotes the cooperative business model in Europe. Its members represent 140 million individual member cooperators owning 176,000 cooperative enterprises and providing jobs to 4,7 million European citizens. Please find attached Cooperatives Europe's submission to the public consultation on the Proposal for a Directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT).
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Cooperatives Europe seeks delay and recognition for unique business models

7 Jul 2023
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on mandatory sustainability reporting standards for large companies.
Message — The group requests postponing the 2024 implementation date to ensure a more feasible approach for entities. They also demand better alignment of transition periods and recognition of the specific legal requirements for cooperatives.123
Why — Adjusting the standards would prevent cooperatives from facing duplicative reporting requirements and unnecessary administrative costs.45
Impact — Large corporations would lose the flexibility to report without providing specific timeframes for social engagement.6
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

8 Mar 2023 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

10 Oct 2022 · Social Economy Action Plan.

Response to Developing social economy framework conditions

30 Sept 2022

Cooperatives Europe, the European cross-sectoral organisation representing cooperative enterprises, welcomes this initiative but identified elements to be improved in the following areas: 1. Recognition of cooperatives We call for a recognition of the cooperative model in all MS and all EU policies based on the cooperatives principles and common features of the social economy(primacy of the people, mutuality, democratic governance, community). As MS have heterogenous traditions and use different terminologies, improving the convergence of their legal frameworks is most welcome but must consider national cooperatives laws and the various economic, political, cultural contexts 2. Cooperatives in competition and taxation law Current State-aid regulations often question cooperatives fiscal regimes in MS. Cooperatives national rules are linked to their specific operating principles and management logic, which are different from other type of businesses. The tax treatment granted is not an exception nor a comparative advantage but a compensation for the restrictions imposed on coops by the law and therefore shouldn’t be considered under State-aid. This is the case for instance for the reserves or benefits to members in proportion to their transaction with the cooperatives. We call for a dialogue with the EC to establish guidelines for interpretations of coops place in EU competition laws. Tax policies must also be adapted to foster SE by allowing specific tax treatment for SEOs, incl. coops. EU coordination inspired by best practices in MS (tax exemptions on coops’ retained earnings or reduced VAT) would be desirable. The cases of energy coops or worker buyouts shows the obstacles they may face on tax regime, grants access and market regulations 3. Access to finance MS and the EU should encourage socially responsible public procurement and their use as tools to reach ambitious social/environmental goals. The tendering procedures should prioritize the quality over the price and include governance criteria, thus putting on equal footing environmental concerns with democratic/social practices. An analysis of opportunities and obstacles with stakeholders’ consultation and benchmarks would be welcome. In addition, authorities often unnecessarily restrict the state aid de minimis threshold (€ 200,000) and should consider other options in line with state aid rules with higher amounts (regional aid, risk financing aid, aid for hiring disadvantaged workers). Finally, access to finance for coops must be addressed as they still face difficulties in accessing private capitals. Adjusting investment support tools to coops needs and ensuring their full eligibility in funding programs is a necessity. Regarding financial instruments for SMEs, the conditions for cooperatives must be at least not discriminatory in terms of objectives, implementation, measurement and monitoring indicators. Specific support measures for cooperatives in key sectors would also be welcome: coops in energy intensive sectors particularly hit by the energy crisis or platform/digital cooperatives affected by the lack of level-playing field 4. Education on cooperative entrepreneurship Given the benefits they bring to their community (decent employment, social cohesion, democracy), all MS should include cooperatives entrepreneurship in business education as part of their national curricula for schools and tertiary education, with the help of the EC’s coordination and stakeholders’ involvement. Studies to identify national programmes and good examples on cooperative learning and practice at all educational levels should be carried at EU level, incl. a benchmarking of schools offering management training for coops members and managers. Resources can also be allocated to develop training tools and promote partnerships between HEIs and the coop movement. Finally, the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy must be tailored and promoted to coops for them to fully benefit from it
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Cooperatives Europe urges recognition of diverse business models

23 May 2022
Topic — New EU rules aimed at making corporate governance more sustainable and socially responsible.
Message — Cooperatives Europe calls for the recognition of diverse business models to ensure a level playing field. They urge the Commission to avoid imposing additional financial and administrative burdens on smaller cooperatives.12
Why — This would prevent regulatory fragmentation and protect the unique governance structures of cooperatives.3
Impact — Agricultural producers risk financial viability due to overlapping and disproportionate compliance costs.4
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Response to Delegated act framing the programming of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)

31 May 2021

Cooperatives Europe reaction to the Delegated Regulation regarding NDICI – Global Europe Cooperatives Europe is happy to see that strengthening the civil society is a priority in almost all the regions and sub-regions mentioned in the delegated Regulation and its annexes, although we believe it should also be priority in the Caribbean. Besides strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations themselves, an enabling environment for civil society is crucial. Sadly, this is only mentioned in the Pacific and North & East Asia, while it should be a priority in all regions. Especially because, governments around the world are abusing the COVID-19 crisis to further shrink the existing civic space through restrictive laws. CSOs are invaluable partners to alleviate the impact of this crisis and to shore up protection for the populations that are hit the hardest. To ensure that these development actors can continue contributing to the achievement of the EU international development objectives and protecting vulnerable populations, the EU should make arguing for more civic space, by unlocking policy and regulatory frameworks for the recognition and strengthening of CSOs, including cooperatives as well as by institutionalizing mechanisms that allow for multi-stakeholder dialogue in all regions and sub-regions. Cooperatives Europe welcomes the inclusion of sustainable and inclusive growth, a focus on SME’s and decent jobs as a part of the economic development priorities in most of the sub-regions and regions. However, it is important to recognize the diversity of the private sector and to prioritize sustainable and inclusive business models, such as cooperatives, in these regions and sub-regions. These business models are well suited to help achieve the EU international development objectives in these regions. For example, the member ownership and democratic control at the core of the cooperative business model makes them durable, while also being platforms for advancing decent work. Cooperatives are locally anchored and can therefore advance inclusive economic growth and reaching out to the poorest, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Cooperatives Europe is not alone in advocating for the inclusion of these two important priorities in the programming of the NDICI – Global Europe. The members of the Policy Forum on Development (PFD) a partnership amongst civil society, local authorities and their associations and the European Commission, are consulted by the European Commission on the international development policy of the EU. In the recent document entitled “PFD recommendations and key issues to incorporate in EU programming”, the importance of an enabling environment for civil society is emphasized. Moreover, the added value of cooperatives is also highlighted in these recommendations. We would urge to incorporate the recommendations of the PFD members, especially the two mentioned here above, in the Delegated Regulation. The full PFD recommendations document is attached to this feedback. Cooperatives Europe is the voice of cooperative enterprises in Europe. On behalf of its 84 member organisations from 33 European countries, it promotes the cooperative business model in Europe. The ICA-EU Partnership is a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Commission (DG INTPA) and all the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) regional and global offices, including Cooperatives Europe.
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Response to Social Economy Action Plan

26 Apr 2021

Cooperatives aim to be competitive on the European market, while pursuing societal objectives and contributing to social cohesion. Their democratic, participatory and inclusive governance involve their members and/or their communities. They enable people to become key actors in their own social and economic development, thus contributing to the economic and social dynamism of the EU. The economic and social crisis that the EU is going through as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the need for specific initiatives for this sector. An EU Action Plan for Social Economy will be a major development tool for cooperatives and other social economy enterprises (SEE). It should therefore prioritise: - Increasing the visibility and knowledge of cooperatives and in general SEE and recognize them as a transversal actor in the socio-economic policies of the EU. This recognition should be more evident in the implementation of European programmes in order to allow SE structures to apply more easily and successfully for European funding. - Providing an ecosystem conducive to the development of coops and other SEE, in particular by facilitating access to finance and investments, creating quality jobs and enabling them to fully operate at transnational level within the Single Market. - Placing cooperatives and other SEE at the heart of technological innovation, green and digital transition and therefore allowing significant investments for our enterprises in this field. The Action Plan aim to bridge the important gap in terms of the current digital skills and capacities of SEE and to develop actions specific to their needs. On the green transition, cooperatives are among the key innovative leaders in renewable energy, responding to communities’ needs. Unlocking the full potential of the cooperative model must be part of the EU initiatives promoting a fair green transition in favour of all private sector actors. Furthermore, the Action Plan should also address the following specific matters: - The Commission should ensure that during the drafting and revision phases of regulations the plurality of forms of enterprises is taken into account, in compliance with art. 54 TFEU. Indeed, characteristics of cooperatives does not only lie in their social objective but also refers to their specific governance structure which differentiates them from traditional enterprises. The Fit for Future Platform will also have to take this aspect into consideration, ensuring that the draft texts will not hinder the development of SEE, but support it. - On youth entrepreneurship: Cooperatives Europe notes that the cooperative model is attractive for young people because its focus on innovation and high social value. Sadly, cooperative youth entrepreneurship is not as well-known as it should be. One of the axes of the Action Plan should enable existing initiatives (such as projects like Coop4EDU and CoopStarter) to be developed within a fully European framework. - Gender Equality is a fundamental right and an essential condition for a sustainable development. Cooperatives Europe approved a Charter to promote gender equality within the European Cooperative Movement and remains strongly committed to work with European Institutions on closing the gender gap. Cooperatives are spaces where women join together to develop businesses, therefore the Action Plans should enhance women cooperative entrepreneurship. - Cooperatives Europe welcomes the inclusion of an international dimension in the Action Plan. The significant contributions of cooperatives in achieving the SDGs and the EU’s international development priorities should be recognized. The Action Plan needs to ensure that cooperatives are included in the implementation of EU external policies and in policy dialogues with civil society and private sector including at EU Delegation level. More concrete recommendations can be found in the attachment to the feedback.
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Meeting with Diana Montero Melis (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen), Renaud Savignat (Cabinet of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen) and

22 Jan 2021 · sustainable and inclusive business models through EU external action

Meeting with Lucrezia Busa (Cabinet of Commissioner Didier Reynders)

2 Jul 2020 · Sustainable corporate governance

Meeting with Guglielmo Di Cola (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

7 Feb 2020 · Youth Strategy

Response to Multiannual Financial Framework-Draft legislative proposal on the InvestEU Programme and EFSI evaluation SWD

3 Aug 2018

Cooperatives Europe is the European cross-sectoral organization representing cooperative enterprises. On behalf of its 86 member organizations from 34 European countries across all business sectors, it promotes the cooperative business model in Europe. Its members represent 140 million individual member cooperators owning 176.000 cooperative enterprises and providing jobs to 4.7 million European citizens. On 6 June 2018, the European Commission adopted its proposal to create the InvestEU Programme consisting of the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. Cooperatives Europe welcomes and supports the general objectives of the InvestEU Programme, which is to “support the policy objectives of the Union by mobilising public and private investment within the EU, hereby addressing market failures and investment gaps that hamper the achievement of EU goals regarding sustainability, competitiveness and inclusive growth.” According to article 7, the InvestEU Fund will support four policy areas: sustainable infrastructure; research, innovation and digitization; SMEs and social investment and skills. As expressed in our previous position paper, cooperative enterprises are key actors of the Social Economy and represent people-centered enterprises. Therefore, Cooperatives Europe supports and welcomes a budget that will enable to deliver real European added value, in accordance with our policy recommendations set in the Call to Action for a “Cooperative Future of Europe”, whilst supporting SME development by taking into account their issues notably related to access to finance. The Commission’s proposal new budget must focus on improving EU’s competitiveness in order to boost long-term growth and address key concerns like SME development. In order to comply with the EU long term goals regarding sustainability, competitiveness and inclusive growth, Cooperatives Europe applauds the fact that the InvestEU Programme recognizes the necessity to invest in social economy business models, such as the cooperative business model. But we also advocate for going beyond this recognition and ensure to social economy enterprises a level playing field to be competitive and create jobs and growth, throughout their lifecycle from start-up to scale-up phase.
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Meeting with Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President)

27 Feb 2018 · Future of Europe (cooperatives Europe contribution); Collaborative economy; Geces (Expert Group on Social Entrepreneurship); MFF; Business transfer

Meeting with Marianne Thyssen (Commissioner)

9 Nov 2015 · test

Meeting with Neven Mimica (Commissioner)

16 Feb 2015 · Present the PFD and to bring attention the important role the Group plays in the dialogue with EU institutions on EU development policy issues