Co-operatives UK has announced the theme for next year’s Co-operatives Fortnight (24 June-7 July), which will focus on creating a co-operation nation.
The Fortnight campaign was launched today at the Practitioners Forum in Manchester. Co-operatives UK, the apex body for the sector, is calling on all co-operatives to join the campaign by carrying out an act of co-operation, and film or photograph it for social media using the hashtag #CoopFortnight/ They should also nominate or tag another co-op to do the same.
For the first time, co-ops are also being asked to pledge to take part by completing a quick online form, with a rough idea of what they plan to do.
The campaign was designed to kickstart a chain reaction from co-op to co-op.
Co-operatives UK, which is co-ordinating the campaign, will then add up the number of participants and create national and regional press releases featuring the most interesting and inspiring events.
“From community clean-ups, to collecting donations for a local food bank or opening up your co-op to educate people about co-ops, what practical ways can your co-op involve people working together in co-operation?” asked Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK. “Can you set a target for the number of bags of litter, families fed or people you teach?
“Together we’ll show everyone why co-operation is what the world needs right now.”
He added: “The theme is about joining together – it’s about action rather than just raising awareness. We’re turning Co-ops Fortnight into a real vehicle for action.”
Wendy Carter, head of communications and marketing at Co-operatives UK, said: “We want to capture people’s attention and to do this we need to paint a picture of the sheer number of people joining our call for a Co-operation Nation. Even if it’s just a seed of an idea for now, tell us your plans and we’ll use this information to promote the campaign, and your activity up to and during Co-op Fortnight.”
More information on the Co-operatives Fortnight and how to get involved is available at www.uk.coop/fortnight.
