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Today, 20th June 2022, is World Refugee Day

This day, first marked in 2001, is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees wherever they are. It recognises and celebrates the strength and courage of all those who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. It is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Each year the day has a theme and this year that theme is the right to seek safety. Under Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

Co-operatives have often been at the forefront of supporting those seeking safety. Last year, the Co-op Foundation awarded a £250,000 grant to Refugee Action, and laid the foundations for Co-op members, Co-op Academies and Member Pioneers to get involved in providing further support. In Ukraine, co-op workers have been taking refugees displaced from occupied areas into their homes. And in Poland, credit unions have been at the forefront of providing humanitarian relief, and welcoming Ukrainian refugees. This document on the International Labour Organisation website highlights further examples of co-ops supporting refugees in recent decades.

Today, and through Refugee Week, (check out the full range of events running here) we hope you will join us in celebrating the innovative creativity and resilience of refugees and other people seeking sanctuary. When even the history of that ‘British’ classic fish and chips can be traced back to the kitchens of Jewish immigrants, it is clear that their contribution is so vast as to have become woven into the fabric of our society.

Book your place now to join us on the 30th June for the ICOF and associated companies AGMs.

Our AGM this year will again be held online. Please view the information and respective AGM packs here and if you are a LTD Member, PLC or ICC shareholder and wish to attend, please contact Alain now

The biggest event of the UK Co-operatives Year is back, in person. And we’re going to be there. Are you?

After two years away, we are so pleased that Congress will be happening in person (with an online element) on Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th June in Birmingham, with a networking dinner on the evening between the two days.

The programme is packed with workshops, discussions, advice and keynotes. Alongside traditional support sessions, advice for those new to the movement, and exploration of the democratic economy, some sessions have jumped out at us.

On Friday, Joining the dots: How can tech enable a stronger co-operative economy? will explore the part tech could play a huge role in transforming and strengthening the co-operative movement.

Later that day, a panel will discuss the role of co-ops in creative industries and how co-operatives can address unfairness in the music industry

On Saturday, two sessions will explore Community Shares, and Women’s voice through co-operative history. And there is much, much more besides.

We’ll be there as an exhibitor – come along and say hi to Business Development Manager Tim and Lending and Relationship Manager Kevin, and ask any questions you may have about your finance needs. We look forward to meeting you!

A guide intended to provide industry and stakeholders with a common approach to commercial retrofit through the lens of net-zero carbon has been published.

From 2025, every commercial building in the UK will require an energy performance certificate (EPC) which rates its energy efficiency from grade A to G. The government has proposed that all commercial properties being let have a minimum EPC rating of at least ‘B’ by 2030 and is considering a possible interim requirement of level ‘C’ by 2027.

As approximately 70% of the UK’s non-residential building stock was constructed before the year 2000, significant energy efficiency and embodied carbon reductions will be needed to meet these standards.

This article from the UKGBC explores what to think about in useful detail and if this is something you are thinking about, talk to our friends at Retrofit Works – a not-for-profit cooperative offering its services at the lowest possible cost to further their mission, lower energy bills, create healthy homes and achieve Net Zero.

The Social Investment Forum (SIF) is undertaking a piece of research under its ‘Future Needs’ working group that aims to move beyond asking what form of money organisations want (loan, grant, blended, equity etc), and focus instead on assessing the product features that are most appropriate and desirable for charities and social enterprises when they are looking to take on investment.

This survey will develop our sector’s understanding of the current and future needs of the social economy – incorporating all elements of product design and development – to help ensure that we can offer products which are built around the needs of charities and social enterprises.

This is YOUR CHANCE to help them understand what YOU need.

It should only take 5-10 minutes to complete and is for any charity, social enterprise or other social purpose organisation based in the UK, regardless of whether you are currently seeking funding.

The survey is open until the 10th June and can be accessed here

The SIF is the national forum for social investment and finance intermediaries (SIFIs). Activities of the SIF aim towards the betterment of the UK’s social investment market, through advancing the work of cross-sector initiatives, as well as advocacy and policy work to influence the Government’s legislative and regulatory agenda. You can find out more about the SIF here.

This blog was edited on Wednesday 8th June to include the closing date for the survey.

Until 29 May, local groups that deliver a project that benefits communities can apply to be a Co-op Local Community Fund partner. 

The Community Fund supports projects that make communities fairer for everyone. Co-op members have raised over £85m for nearly 30,000 local projects since the fund was started in 2016.

Successful applicants will partner with Co-op for 12 months and you’ll get a minimum of £1,000 to support your project.  

Types of projects that will be considered include those that: 

·       Bring people together to access food 

·       Help improve people’s mental wellbeing 

·       Create opportunities for young people to be heard and make a difference 

·       Help people protect local biodiversity or tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions 

Sounds like it would suit your organisation? Find out more on Co-op’s website.