Cooperatives say new EU development & cooperation programmes are a step in the right direction

Important changes are expected in the EU’s new development and cooperation budget as the European Union is preparing its next multi-annual financial plan for 2014-2020.

In particular, a new programme dedicated to civil society organisations and local authorities will replace the Non State Actors programme. This change follows the political guidelines laid down in the Agenda for Change and the EU Commission’s communication ‘The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe’s engagement with Civil Society in External relations‘. Both documents refer to cooperatives as key actors in economic development contributing to sustainable job creation. The latter communication formally includes cooperative businesses as civil society organisations.

Commenting on those changes, Klaus Niederländer, Director of Cooperatives Europe, said: “We look forward to working with the EU Commission, in order to provide tailored support to different categories of CSO actors, such as as NGOs, trade unions and cooperative enterprises. We also welcome the political will to support the work of cooperatives, in order to promote inclusive and sustainable growth and to address the needs and interests of their members and communities”.  

Please, download the leaflet below to better understand the changes in the programme and how these will affect cooperative enterprises and organisations.