Euro Coop

Important Update

Please note that our telephone number has changed. You can now reach us at (+32) 02 342 13 49

History

The Co-operative Movement has its roots in the Lancashire textile town of Rochdale, England, where, in 1844, harsh living conditions and inadequate consumer protection - the adulteration of food by private traders was widespread - prompted 28 working men to adopt a new approach to the supply of food and other goods and the provision of social and educational facilities for ordinary working people by setting up a retail Co-operative society, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society. 

These 28 Rochdale men scraped together a meagre capital and opened a shop in Toad Lane, where they sold wholesome food at reasonable prices. A share of the profit or surplus as they preferred to call it, was returned to members in proportion to their purchases - the famous Co-operative dividend or "divi". The Pioneers and other early Co-operators owed much of their inspiration to the Co-operative writings of Dr William King, a Brighton physician and philanthropist, and Robert Owen, a Welsh manufacturer and social reformer. From the decisions and practices of the Pioneers, based on the Owenite theories of Co-operation, the Rochdale Principles of Co-operation were fomulated. These included: voluntary and open membership; democratic control - one member, one vote; payment of limited interest on capital; surplus allocated in proportion to members' purchases - the dividend; and educational facilities for members and workers. 

It is not claimed that the Rochdale Pioneers Society was the very first Co-operative nor was its shop the very first Co-operative store. There were earlier societies, but even those that survived came to adopt the Rochdale pattern of Co-operation as the best means of operating a Co-operative society and fulfilling its aims. Rochdale became a model for the formation of similar Co-operative societies throughout the United Kingdom and around the World. 

The Rochdale idea of Co-operation has spread throughout the world and today there are 1 billion Co-operators in 95 countries. In 1895, the International Co-operative Alliance was established to support the development of Co-operation around the World.        
    

Latest News

Euro Coop renews endorsement of Food Policy Coalition’s “Food Environments” policy brief
Euro Coop renews endorsement of Food Policy Coalition’s “Food Environments” policy brief

We have renewed our endorsement of the Food Policy Coalition ’s updated policy brief...

Euro Coop Co-Signs Op-Ed on GMO Labelling: Defending Consumers’ Right to Know
Euro Coop Co-Signs Op-Ed on GMO Labelling: Defending Consumers’ Right to Know

Euro Coop has co-signed an opinion piece published in The Brussels Times entitled...

2024 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report

We are pleased to announce the publication of our 2024 Annual Report. This edition presents a...

Latest Stories

World Food Day 2025: Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future — Consumer Coops Leading by Example
World Food Day 2025: Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future — Consumer Coops Leading by Example

Each year, World Food Day reminds us that achieving food security, healthy diets, and...

Euro Coop Members Gather in Prague for Two Days of Exchange, Innovation, and Cooperation
Euro Coop Members Gather in Prague for Two Days of Exchange, Innovation, and Cooperation

On 9–10 October, Euro Coop members convened in Prague at the kind invitation of COOP...

Euro Coop Appoints Fabrizio Fabbri as Secretary General ad interim
Euro Coop Appoints Fabrizio Fabbri as Secretary General ad interim

Prague, 10 October 2025 - The Board of Euro Coop – the European Community of Consumer...

Cron Job