Conventus-verkefnið og ,,hið lærða samvinnufélagsform” Cooperative knowledge transfer through the Conventus-project

2. Conventus-verkefnið og ,,hið lærða samvinnufélagsform”Cooperative knowledge transfer through the Conventus-project Dr Sigrún Lilja Einarsdóttir Lektor / Assistant professor Bifröst University

3. Aims of the project • To create greater understanding and knowledge of the situation of cooperatives in Europe among cooperators themselves • To strengthen cooperator’s self-esteem, cooperative identity and entrepreneurial skills • To collect and create learning modules for cooperatives, cooperators, members, managers and employees of cooperatives • Partners: • Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Science, Finland • CoompanionCooperative Development Agency of Skaraborg, Sweden • FederazioneTrentinadellaCooperazione, Italy • National Cooperative Council, Poland • Centre for Retail Studies, BifröstUniversity, Iceland • Osuustoiminnan Kehittäjät - CoopFinland

4. Iceland’s involvement – why? • Negative general attitudes • Associated with the collapse of the cooperative movement in the 1990s • Negative political debate, corruption • Little knowledge on the cooperative form and its possibilities • Around 31 registered cooperatives in Iceland • No existing up-to-date learning materials or modules for cooperatives • Cooperative legislation needs to be updated

5. 5 Modules of cooperative learning • History, ideology and status of the cooperative movement • What is a cooperative? • The cooperative principles • Different forms of cooperatives • Being a cooperative member • Active, cooperative membership • What do cooperative principles say about membership • Establishing a new cooperative • How to start a cooperative • Creating a cooperative business plan • Managing a cooperative • Training and development of existing cooperatives

6. How do the cooperative principles apply in the contemporary Nordic society? • Voluntary and open membership • Cooperatives are open to all who want to become members • Little investment, possible for all • Democratic member control • One member, one vote • Less risk-taking • Member economic participation • Profit used for further development of the cooperative • Members get a fair share in the profit (discounts and other offers) • Autonomy and independence • Cooperatives are controlled by their members and not subject to hostile takeovers • Education, training and information • To strengthen the cooperative identity and emphasize the awareness and meaning of the cooperative values and principles • Cooperation among cooperatives • Instead of competition, cooperation is the key • Concern for community • Increased awareness on sustainable development and social responsibility

7. The cooperative form - why? • Public anger and frustration towards big, private enterprises in the aftermath of the 2008 economic recession • Corruption, lobbyism and political involvement of finance owners and enterprises • Call for democracy, fairness, sustainable development and increased social responsibility • Cooperatives fared better during and after the recession due to low risk-taking (Fici / Euricse, 2011) • Cooperatives are relevant today

8. Next steps • Informed, public debate on the cooperative form • Deal with the past, but do not dwell on it • Focus on future potentials • Increased public awareness on the potentials of the cooperative form • Support future cooperators and entrepreneurs • The government should, with an open mind, look into how the cooperative form can best be used in public service