President & Sec-Gen Holiday Greetings

Dear co-operators and colleagues,

With 2024 coming to a close, we express our utmost appreciation and recognition to our members for the co-operation and inspiration in making our movement of 30 million co-operators so vibrant and diverse! Your commitment inspires and your success makes a difference to hundreds of thousands of local communities across the continent. We would also like to thank all colleagues within and beyond our movement for the mutual support and professionalism.

The world is changing before our eyes. One vivid example is the advancements in technology which will continue to create opportunities, but also challenges. We should not forget, however, that the closing year was also marked by geopolitical challenges which fuel socioeconomic uncertainty for millions of citizens. Climate change is a persisting threat, so national governments and international institutions need to honour their commitment to future generations by accelerating and intensifying their climate actions.

As the political and market conditions change, so do consumer co-operatives. Our members adapt to meet the challenges of the day with concrete solutions. With a strong vision and mission, they make a difference for their millions of consumers and thousands of local communities through co-operation to meet the daily needs and future aspirations of their individual co-operators.

2025 will bring immense opportunities for co-operation at all levels. First and foremost, Euro Coop shall initiate new forms of co-operation among members which reflect their strategic and operational priorities. As our members evolve, so does Euro Coop. Secondly, the 2024 EU elections has brought a new European Parliament and a new European Commission with whom we shall continue to work to reinforce the visibility of consumer co-operatives and to emphasise the importance of an enabling regulatory and policy environment for our members.

There is no stronger period of time for greater interco-operation and meaningful advocacy than 2025 - UN International Year of Cooperatives. This shall galvanize our movement to recognize and celebrate our identity, distinctiveness, innovation and impact to building a better world.

Before we embark on this journey together, we would like to wish you, your families, and close ones the warmest holiday season and Christmas and New Year wishes!

With co-operative greetings,

Mathias Fiedler                                                                     Todor Ivanov     
President                                                                                Secretary-General   

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