All Change for Europe?

Submitted by Graham Mitchell on Mon, 07/05/2012 - 08:33

Yesterday's election of Francois Hollande, coupled with the parliamentary elections in Greece has shifted the landscape across the whole of Europe. Both results send a clear message that the citizens of Europe have lost patience with the austerity programme. The era of Merkozy is ended, and the pact that they brought in is up for renegotiation.

What does it all mean? One thing is certain, and that is the uncertainty will continue for some time to come. Cooperatives have, since the crisis began back in 2008, shown themselves to be both resilient and valuable, and the coming period will surely offer further opportunities to raise the profile of the cooperative business model as a sustainable and relevant business model for the 21st century. Ordinary citizens are increasingly looking for real value and values as the impact of this long period of belt-tightening makes life harder and harder as each month goes by, and cooperatives provide a solution that meets these expectations.

The timing could hardly be better for the movement in this UN International Year of Cooperatives, and we hope and expect that cooperatives throughout the world are making the most of this rare opportunity to raise awareness about themselves and the principled approach that we all share.

We believe that cooperatives should proudly state their cooperative identity. This is why the .coop top level internet domain was created ten years ago - to provide a unique trusted space online and a social brand that is being collectively developed and strengthened by cooperative enterprises around the world! Each cooperative that joins our global community by adopting .coop further strengthens that brand.

If your cooperative has yet to join the .coop community there has never been a better time to adopt .coop and wear your heart on your sleeve! Apply now.