Initiatives for the competitiveness and innovation of Cooperatives
Awareness, training, and information policies on the cooperative model
Cooperative promotion is vital to strengthening the social and economic impact of cooperatives, expanding their influence and competitiveness, and ensuring a dynamic and sustainable future for the cooperative model. Market adaptation, responding to economic challenges, and new business opportunities: this is what Legacoop’s initiatives aim for.
Advocacy within regulatory and political frameworks
Promoting cooperativism drives local and national policies to meet the needs and demands of cooperatives. By working closely with policymakers, we can advocate for the development of regulations and policies that facilitate the growth and stability of the cooperative sector. This includes fighting for favorable tax conditions, access to funding, and the recognition of the social and economic role of cooperatives.
Strengthening the network between cooperatives
Creating a strong and collaborative community among the various entities allows for the sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise, thereby strengthening the entire cooperative movement. This synergy can lead to joint initiatives, economies of scale, and greater bargaining power.
Education and training in schools and Universities
Keeping the cooperative culture alive across generations. Educating youth and new generations on the benefits and values of cooperativism ensures the continuity and evolution of the sector, allowing us to remain relevant and influential in a rapidly changing world.
- Every year, Coopstartup Bellacoopia involves hundreds of students across various local areas. In some cases, the initiative uses different brands, such as Vitamina C for Legacoop Imola and Legacoop Bologna. Furthermore, hackathons are organized in high schools.
- In addition, activities are carried out in collaboration with Universities, featuring both training programs and dedicated contests for the creation of cooperative start-ups. The relationship with Universities is developed both within the Bellacoopia initiative and independently through connections between the local branches and the campuses of the Universities of Emilia-Romagna.
Find out about educational initiatives in Emilia-Romagna
Our commitment to cooperative promotion
Local help desks
The local branches run help desk activities, welcoming groups of people to inform, train, guide, and—if the right conditions are met—assist them all the way through to the incorporation of the cooperative. This promotional activity implies a close collaboration with the cooperative system’s financial services.
Growth pathways
We promote cooperation and cooperative innovation through targeted projects, ranging from sustainability to innovation and job preservation.
- assistance in creating Workers Buyouts (WBOs) as a tool to address corporate crises and generational turnover
- the creation and development of innovative cooperative platforms
- community cooperatives and applications related to energy communities