Advancing Towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025
Yesterday, the IRU Working Group Meeting met to discuss further actions within our Global Network and towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. Participants included Klaudia Marcus (DGRV – Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e. V.), Ryan van Hout (Rabobank), Manuel Hanselmann (Austrian Raiffeisen Association) and Board Member Gustav Sawatzky (FECOPROD).
The discussion focused on three major topics:
- Raiffeisen Ambassador Advanced Training Course
One of the key priorities of the meeting was the development of the Raiffeisen Ambassador Advanced training course, aimed at empowering cooperative responsables to increase their in-depth knowledge and leadership skills, strengthening their capacities and to advocate for and implement cooperative solutions in their regions. - Increase in Expertise Exchange among IRU Members
Another significant point of discussion was the need for extended expertise exchange among IRU members. Participants agreed on the importance of fostering more frequent and structured knowledge-sharing opportunities to ensure that members can learn from each other’s experiences, innovations, and best practices. Enhanced collaboration will be key to tackling common challenges and leveraging the strengths of the international cooperative network. - Branding and Public Relations Campaign for the International Year of Cooperatives 2025
As we approach the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the working group also discussed the development of a branding and public relations campaign. This initiative will aim to raise global awareness about the cooperative movement and the impact of the entrepreneurial cooperative idea. A unified campaign will help IRU members to highlight the essential role cooperatives play in promoting economic democracy and social equality.
We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we work towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 and beyond.
