Putting power back where it belongs
Future Co-ops 2026 brought together co-operators, organisers, and changemakers from across the UK (and the Netherlands!) to explore a shared challenge:
“We thought we’d set ourselves the small challenge of exploring how the co-op ideals and principles can reclaim power for communities.”
Jo White, Co-operative Futures
Across two days in Birmingham, that challenge became a space for honest discussion, practical ideas, and collective ambition. Huge thanks to our brilliant speakers and facilitators and everyone who showed up ready to think, question, and build.
A world of division, and a co-operative response
Welcoming delegates, Jo White spoke of the context we are working in.
“We’re sitting in a world of increasing division, so what are we going to do about it as a co-op movement?”
With trust eroding and many people feeling disempowered, she explained what co-operation can offer in response:
“The way to fight this is to give people agency and the power to feel what they do makes a difference – and that is what we think sits at the heart of the co-op movement.”
Understanding division and rebuilding trust
Saturday’s opening plenary from Andrew Fowler, from More in Common, grounded the day in current public attitudes.
Drawing on their Shattered Britain research, he highlighted the scale of disconnection across society:
People feel “the political class – as well as business leaders, journalists and even judges and the police – are not there to serve society whatsoever.”
The findings resonated strongly, with many recognising the challenge of rebuilding trust in systems that feel distant and unresponsive.
From participation to real power
Workshops throughout the day explored how to move beyond consultation towards meaningful participation.
Mara Livermore from Shared Future led a session on deliberative democracy, sharing how citizens’ juries and inquiries can give people real influence over decisions that affect their lives.
These approaches reflect a broader shift discussed throughout the conference:
from giving people a voice, to sharing power.
Community-led regeneration in practice
Ian Wilson and Deana Bamford brought practical insight into what happens when communities lead.
Their work with Coalville CAN on regeneration through co-operation challenges traditional top-down approaches, instead showing how power, when rooted locally, can reshape places for the long term.
Building power through culture, connection, and creativity
The conference began at The Good Intent on Friday evening, with short films and poetry from the immensely talented Rawz, setting the tone for the weekend, and saving the day when we were beset with technical hitches!
Blending creativity with politics, the evening grounded the theme of power, voice, and collective experience in something felt as well as discussed.
Watch the films:
Why this Manchester by-election is a lesson in 21st century politics
‘Abusing Muslims is not going to fix this country’: rising hate in the UK
A space for practical ideas and political imagination
Future Co-ops aimed to be a space for practical ideas and political imagination rooted firmly in co-operative values.
That intention carried through the entire programme, from workshops on economic justice and climate action to conversations about political strategy and movement-building.
Across sessions, a common thread emerged:
- Co-operation as a response to division
- Community ownership as a route to economic justice
- Participation as a pathway to real power
What happens next
Future Co-ops 2026 was not just a moment, but part of a wider, ongoing process. The conversations, connections, and provocations from the conference will continue to feed into work across communities, organisations, and networks. Because reclaiming power is not a single event.
It is a long-term, collective project.
For a more detailed summary of the conference, read this article by Rebecca Harvey of Co-op News.
Thank you to Co-operative and Community Finance and OurCoop The Midcounties Co-operative for generously supporting the conference again this year.
Financing Community Power
We were delighted to welcome Alain Demontoux, from Co-operative & Community Finance, who talked about investmenting in ICOF Community Capital Limited, a fund that enables communities to take control of local assets such as pubs, shops, and other vital facilities. Alain shared a short film and outlined how delegates could support the share offer, helping to unlock capital for projects that create positive change for workers, communities, and the environment. They are aiming to raise £500,000 by 31st May 2026.
“This is your opportunity to invest in building a better future and an invitation to help others to help themselves. Not by giving and forgetting, but investing in neighbourhood regeneration through viable community businesses – allowing your money to work for change in communities across the country.”
Future Co-ops Conference has been a key date in the co-operative movement’s calendar for many years. Take a look at our round up of Future Co-ops 2025: The Trouble with Double.