“WORKSHOP ON “LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND COOPERATIVISM”
As is known, the year 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the United Nations. This declaration, made at a time when economic and social inequalities are deepening globally and new collaborative models are being sought, aims to raise awareness about cooperatives and highlight the economic and social benefits of development through cooperatives.
At this juncture, there has also been a growing interest in new economic and social models in our country, in line with global trends. Within the scope of the International Year of Cooperatives, it is possible to discuss the historical and current role of cooperatives in Turkiye, their development trajectory, and the opportunities they offer today, while also aligning national and international agendas. Indeed, both central government institutions and various cooperatives and civil society organizations are organizing events in this regard.
On the other hand, municipalities have an important role to play in fostering this awareness. In terms of social and economic development, municipalities are in a key position to support the establishment, expansion, and promotion of new cooperative models that are collaborative and enable citizens to directly participate in production processes. We believe that in this emerging environment where our past experiences in cooperativism may be integrated with the new methods developed under the framework of next-generation cooperatives worldwide, municipalities also have significant responsibilities. Moreover, when properly structured and implemented, cooperativism not only contributes economically and socially but also has the potential to promote a democratic and participatory governance culture.
To this end, as the Union of Municipalities of Turkiye (UMT), we are planning to organize a two-day workshop titled “Local Governments and Cooperativism” on October 9–10, 2025, at our headquarters in Ankara, as part of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives. We believe that such a workshop, which will bring together elected municipal representatives and bureaucrats with academics and experienced experts in the field, can contribute to the development of new, alternative, and socially beneficial economic models.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE ATTACHED FILE BELOW FOR THE WORKSHOP PROGRAM.