Launch of the Co-operative Forum of Ireland
The Forum seeks to represent the common interests of the co-operative movement in Ireland, facilitate greater co-operation between the various co-op sectors, promote public awareness and understanding of the role of co-ops, identify new areas for potential co-op development and maintain, protect and expand the space evailable for the distinctive co-operative form of organisation and business enterprise.
Book Launch
Nobel Laureate John Hume speaking at the recent launch of Helping Ourselves, Success Stories in Co-operative Business & Social Enterprise, edited by Michael Ward & Bob Briscoe.
Ireland's Co-operative Sector
In December 2007, Forfás published a profile of the co-operative enterprise sector in Ireland and internationally. The report, Ireland’s Co-operative Sector, forms part of a review of the legislative and organisational framework for co-operatives in Ireland being undertaken by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The report identifies some of the key challenges and opportunities for Irish co-operatives for the future.
Co-operatives and Food
‘’More and more communities are setting up food co-ops so they can get good food at an affordable price and have more control over where their food comes from. Co-operation is all about two or more people joining forces and working together to achieve something they probably couldn't do on their own.’’
Read more on the setting up of a food co-op at Sustain (http://www.sustainweb.org/foodcoopstoolkit/) or recent research from the Centre for Co-operative Studies, by clicking on the attached publications: Food democracy in practice: A case study of the Dublin Food Co-op.
The Potential of the Cooperative Form for Farmers’ Markets in Ireland – Some Lessons from the USA and UK