Coop Estonia celebrated its 120th anniversary!

On June 8^th Coop Eesti (Estonia) celebrated its 120^th anniversary with a virtual conference dedicated to the community-based economic model of co-operatives. In particular, the event’s aim was to highlight how the co-op business model can serve as a key driver for local communities, as well as for the transition to sustainability in the retail sector.

The conference saw the participation of several personalities from the world of co-operatives, such as co-operative leaders, local institutions, Estonian food producers, and consumer associations. In this framework, all participants discussed the global impact of the co-operative business model on the communities all around the world and cast a glance at the co-operative activity from the perspective of trade, agriculture, food industry, financial services, energy sector, and local government. 

Alo Ivask, CEO of Coop Eesti, opened the event by presenting Anu Puusa, Professor of Management at the Faculty of Business of the University of Eastern Finland and Associate Professor of Management and Cooperatives at the Faculty of Business and Management at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), who held a quick course on the origins and the democratic nature of consumer co-operatives.

She stressed the strong social commitment of co-operatives and underlined that, although the movement is socially active, it is not as well-known as it should be. To this intent, Puusa proposes to invest more in education to spread knowledge about the co-op movement and values.

Howard Brodsky, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of CCA Global Partners, described his journey and experience as co-operative leader in the USA. Brodsky presented co-operatives as sustainable and responsible business models imagining the future of consumer co-operatives and their contribution to society.

Debbie Robinson, CEO of Central England Co-operative, took the floor and presented the Co-operative reality in the UK: its origins, its present activities, and its future challenges.

Robinson focused on the importance of co-operatives as an inspiring example of financial, human, and environmental sustainability since they are guided by self-help, equality, democracy, and solidarity values.

The three interventions had been followed by an interesting panel discussion on how the co-operative movement has evolved over the years. In addition, panelists also dealt with creating a sustainable society for all thanks to the co-op values and activities.

The second part of the conference had been dedicated to Estonian success stories told by their own leaders:

Finance sector: Tõnu Pekk, Co-founder of TULEVA

Manufacturing: Jaanus Murakas, CEO of E-Piim

Agriculture sector: Tanel Bulitko, Chairman of the Estonian Breeders' Association

Energy sector: Märt Helmja, CEO of Energiaühistu

Representatives of Estonian institutions and SME leaders intervened in the last two panel discussions in which participants debated on success stories of the cooperation between co-operatives and local governments imaging new ideas to create future centers of Estonian excellence.

It is possible to watch the entire event on Coop Eesti website.