The government has announced an ambitious target to double the size of the co-operative sector. Given this commitment, and at the start of the International Year of Co-operatives, the Future Co-ops 2025 conference will get to grips with what doubling the sector actually looks like.
The time is now! Let’s not miss the boat (again). Join us for two days of lively discussion and debate.
So many questions, so little time.
The government has announced an ambitious target to double the size of the co-operative and mutual sector and to work with the movement to address the barriers we face, such as accessing finance. But what does doubling even mean? Doubling the number of co-ops? The turnover? The number of people that are members of a co-op? Are we being asked to do the impossible?
What is the commitment from the government? Will they be putting their money where their mouth is?
Throughout ‘The Trouble with Double’ we’ll consider what the challenge of doubling the sector actually looks like. Measuring the impact of this growth is crucial. Should we focus on financial metrics or should we be aiming for social impact over simple quantity, staying true to the values and principles of the co-operative movement. Amongst others, Co-operatives UK are working on a response to the doubling opportunity in their Co-operative Growth Strategy – planned for a January release. So, this timely conference will build on that and bring delegates with experience and expertise together to push things forward, from strategy to action!
Who should be driving the agenda? Can we create a legacy that outlasts a change in government?
Join us at Future Co-ops 2025 for two days of lively discussion and debate as we get to grips with this challenge:
- We’ll explore whether we should be prioritising numbers, or looking at the quality and scale of impact.
- Will we have the most success in replicating successful co-ops, or enhancing existing ones?
- Should we focus on converting established entities into co-operative models?
- Which sectors are most in need of co-operative solutions and where could they have the biggest impact? Housing, energy, and care are prime candidates, given their pressing needs and the availability of statutory funding. But should we also consider untapped sectors or more innovative ideas?
- How will people recognise the impact of co-ops in their daily lives, and how do we ensure these initiatives are worth investing in?
While Friday night will be spent setting the scene, Saturday will be a day of interactive workshops to provide a platform for attendees to discuss strategies for seizing the opportunity.
Location and Date
The Conference is being hosted at Central Co-op’s Support Centre, in Lichfield city centre, from 5pm on Friday 31st January and 9am until 4pm on Saturday 1st February.
Address: Queen Street, Lichfield, WS13 6QS
Panel and Workshops
Friday – 17.00 – 23.00: Friday night will be spent setting the scene with a panel discussion with guests from across the Co-operative Party.
Saturday – 09.00 – 16.00: Saturday’s opening session will focus on Lessons From the Past
We’ve had opportunities like this before, but what worked, and what didn’t? Alternative models like CICs, employee ownership, and the mutualisation agenda were an opportunity for co-ops, but we missed the boat. Why? This opening session will also explore areas where the sector has had some success over the years, such as the Co-op Enterprise Hub, the More than a Pub campaign, and the growth of community shares.
A day of interactive workshops follows, to provide a platform for attendees to discuss strategies for scaling co-operatives including:
- More, Bigger or Better? There’s the danger that this whole conversation becomes a numbers game. While we’re busy focusing on creating lots of new start-up co-ops, what’s happening to the existing 9,350? We will explore the impact we want from a bigger co-op movement.
- Making Co-ops Cool! How do we bring co-ops up to date, make them relevant to young people, and successfully embed them back into our culture and economy? This session will look at what we can learn from current social movements and focus on our challenge of putting co-operatives at the front and centre of solutions for tackling issues in our society today.
- Political Levers The commitment has been made to double the size of the co-operative and mutual economy. But what does this mean, and how does the Government intend to go about it? This workshop will explore potential political and economic levers that could be utilised to successfully increase the sector.
- Resourcing the Doubling Do we have the resources we need to deliver on this ambitious goal, or are we dreaming without a plan? This workshop will confront the tough questions about resourcing this ambitious goal.
Dinner
Attendees have the opportunity to join us for the conference dinner on Friday evening, and after-dinner entertainment!
Booking
Booking and further details, can be found on the Eventbrite booking page:
Friday only (inc dinner) – £60
Saturday only (inc lunch) – £100
Both days (Friday inc dinner + Saturday inc lunch) – £155
All prices include food, VAT and booking fees.
Accommodation
The Conference cost does not include accommodation, and attendees will need to book their own if staying over. Nearest hotel – 2 mins walk to the Support Centre:
Premier Inn Lichfield City Centre, Swan Road, Lichfield, Staffs, WS13 6QZ. Book here.
Transport and Parking
The venue is an 11 minutes walk from Lichfield City train station or 8 minutes by bus.
Off site car parking is also available at The Friary car park: The Friary, Lichfield WS13 6QE.
Previous Events
Want to see what Future Co-ops is all about? Take a look at our round up of #FC2C – From Crisis to Co-op.