Brussels - Board Meeting and Joint Seminar on Participative Democracy and Energy Communities.

On April 4, Euro Coop Board members convened in Brussels for their meeting on the present and future activities of the organisation. On the following day, April 5, Euro Coop organised a seminar in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), focusing on how co-operative contribute to a stronger Europe through participative democracy and energy communities.

On April 4th, the Euro Coop Board convened in Brussels in a hybrid format. It was an opportunity for members to engage in insightful discussions encompassing EU affairs, internal and external activities, and priorities for the organisation's future. A particular focus was placed on the forthcoming Euro Coop EU elections manifesto, indicative of the organisation's commitment to shaping policies conducive to the co-operative sector's growth and development.

Following this, on April 5th, a joint seminar titled "Stronger Europe through Participative Democracy" was organized at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). This seminar shed light on the success and importance of co-operative business models in food retail and energy communities, underscoring their role in fostering participatory democracy and sustainability.

The joint seminar commenced with introductory remarks by Mathias Fiedler - Euro Coop President, and a welcome by István Komoróczki - EESC Member. The keynote speech was provided by Piroska Kállay - EESC Member, who set the stage for discussions on participative democracy. 

The first session featured representatives from prominent consumer co-operatives such as La Louve (Paris), Bees Coop (Brussels), and SuperCoop (Berlin), who shared insights into the success and challenges of the participative business model. Emphasizing the social aspect of co-operatives, speakers highlighted the importance of fostering meaningful relationships among members while offering high-quality, sustainable, and affordable products. A central aspect highlighted was members’ discipline, which is essential due to the requirement for all members to work a minimum of 3 hours per month in the co-op store.

The seminar's second session delved into the realm of energy communities, highlighting their pivotal role in driving the transition towards clean energy. Speakers, including representatives from DG ENER European Commission - Achille Hannoset, project officer and REScoop, elaborated on the progress made by EU institutions and the challenges that lie ahead in fostering energy communities and promoting clean energy initiatives. Dirk Vansintjan, President of REScoop, underscored the significance of energy co-operatives in leading the energy transition towards democracy. EESC Member Arnaud Schwartz welcomed the policy which gave impetus to the establishment of energy communities and co-operatives, but warned that more ambition is warranted in future legislation. 

Kieran McCarthy, Energy and Environmental Specialist from Central Co-op, UK, presented the details of their ambitious Green Energy Self-Sufficiency Plan. With a vision to achieve 100% energy self-sufficiency by 2025, Central Co-op outlined its plans for solar initiatives and energy reduction projects. 

The joint seminar served as a platform to underscore the importance of the co-operative business model in sectors like food retail and energy communities. Through insightful discussions and presentations, attendees gained valuable insights into the success and potential of participative democracy in fostering sustainability and community engagement. The event exemplified Euro Coop's dedication to promoting co-operative values and driving positive change within the European Union.