Cooperatives as Partners for Accelerated Sustainable Development

To give a quick overview, here are a few numbers of the shares of total housing managed by cooperatives: 14.5% in Norway, 6.8% in Estonia, or 5.3% in Germany. To showcase all the important work that is being done in the affordable housing sector, Housing Europe contributed to a video campaign coordinated by Cooperatives Europe, which took the tile from this year’s theme: "Cooperatives as Partners for Accelerated Sustainable Development". The topic was very timely, as this was already one of the main priorities of the housing cooperative movement. The campaign aims to increase awareness about the integral role cooperatives play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving the European Union's transition pathways. 

Drawing upon the resilient nature of cooperatives and their enduring impact across various sectors, the campaign seeks to emphasise their pivotal role to economic, social, and environmental sustainability across various sectors and regions. By amplifying the values of mutual aid, democracy, collaboration, and equality this initiative intends to demonstrate how cooperatives represent innovative solutions for sustainable development and a better world. 

The campaign is based on a series of short videos highlighting cooperatives' contributions towards accelerated sustainable development in communities around Europe. It is held in line with the International Cooperative Alliance's global campaign.  The videos encompass a broad spectrum of cooperatives, from agriculture and housing to platforms, industrial, energy, retail, and finance sectors, demonstrating their positive impact and sustainability-driven practices.

The Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies (GdW), The Estonian Union of Co-operative Housing Associations (EKYL), The Co-operative Housing Federation of Norway (NBBL) and Legacoop Abitanti from Italy, each stood in front of the camera to present their testimonies on why the cooperative movement is important, and how can housing be made sustainable. Watch here the interviews of Öner Özgür, Andres Jaadla, Christian-Marius Stryken and Rossana Zaccaria.

You can watch the whole Cooperatives Europe campaign here.