International Year of Cooperatives 2025

The year 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the United Nations, under the slogan: “Cooperatives build a better world.”
This global celebration is an opportunity to recognise and strengthen the essential role of cooperatives as drivers of economic, social and environmental transformation, and to highlight their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All around the world, cooperatives show that a more just, participatory and solidarity-based business model is possible — one capable of generating shared prosperity and collective well-being. In the Balearic Islands, we have clear examples of this: locally rooted enterprises that, day after day, contribute to economic progress, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

From the Federation of Cooperatives of the Balearic Islands, we want to take this opportunity to reaffirm the fundamental role of cooperatives and call for stronger support from public institutions. It is important to remember that Article 129.1 of the Spanish Constitution states that “public authorities shall effectively promote the various forms of participation in the enterprise and shall encourage, by means of appropriate legislation, cooperative societies.”

Therefore, it is a constitutional obligation to foster this business model that places people at the centre and directly contributes to the common good.

To advance in this direction, it is necessary to promote policies that strengthen and expand the cooperative sector through:

• Specific financing schemes for the creation and consolidation of cooperatives.

• Technical assistance and training for entrepreneurs interested in this business model.

• Initiatives that promote the social and solidarity economy, particularly in areas such as labour, consumption, services and other forms of collective ownership.

• Preferential support for sustainable cooperative projects aligned with the SDGs and the ecological transition.

Additionally, it is essential to promote awareness-raising and educational campaigns to disseminate cooperative values and foster citizen participation. During this International Year, we urge public administrations to support events and outreach activities that raise visibility for cooperatives as a driving force for economic and social development in the Balearic Islands.

Cooperatives represent a model of enterprise and community in which inclusion, empowerment and social resilience are as important as income and profits. They have been —and will continue to be— key agents in the eradication of poverty, the empowerment of women and social inclusion, while promoting full and productive employment and contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Together, we demonstrate the power of cooperation to create lasting and transformative change.

The Federation of Cooperatives of the Balearic Islands makes its resources, experience and knowledge available to institutions and society to help make these initiatives a reality, while continuing its work in training, advisory services, representation and the promotion of the cooperative movement.

Committed to our values and faithful to our mission, we continue to work for a business model that puts people first, promotes social responsibility and embraces inter-cooperation as a tool to advance towards a fairer, more sustainable and more humane future.

During this International Year of Cooperatives, let us raise our voices loudly and clearly: Cooperatives build a better world.

Happy International Year of Cooperatives to all cooperatives and micro-cooperatives in Mallorca, Menorca, Eivissa and Formentera!