With lockdown continuing and Covid-19 impacting every business and community, this year’s Co-operative Fortnight is looking to the future.
Themed ‘Let’s build something better together’, the two weeks from 22 June to 5 July – usually a time of co-operative celebration – will use inspirational stories of co‑operation that have emerged from the pandemic to harness this positive behaviour to change society for the better and encourage everyone to #KeepCooperating.
Organised by Co-operatives UK, the original call for the 2020 fortnight was to #JoinACoop, but the decision was made to change the theme to reflect the current crisis.
“We’ve seen people from all walks of life stepping up during these extraordinary times,” said Wendy Carter, Head of Communications and Marketing at Co-operatives UK, “with three quarters of a million people volunteering for the NHS – shopping for vulnerable neighbours, delivering equipment and medication and checking in with those most at risk. And of course co-ops are playing their part in many different ways by keeping shelves stocked, providing essential services, supporting local mutal aid groups and much more.”
She added that while it was a troubling time, the organisation had been heartened by the many stories of co-operation. “We want to make sure we don’t lose this. Especially when some people may be connecting with others in this way for the first time. Our campaign this year aims to encourage people to keep doing what they are doing, so that we can build something better together.
“Co‑ops are businesses built on values. We do business the right way, all the time, not just in times of crisis.
Co-operatives UK is encouraging co-ops to get involved by highlighting the different ways that co‑ops, and people in communities have worked together, talking about the co-op values and principles and encourage everyone to keep co-operating.
Co-op Fortnight 2020 posters, graphics and logos can be found here.
