Eurocoop Print this page
EURO COOP
Activities
Member login:


Search for :
Activities of Euro Coop-aisbl
Today, AISBL Euro Coop's activities are concentrated in five main areas : Euro Coop's activities mainly focus on consumer issues (food policy, environment policy and sustainable consumption, consumer information and education). A smaller part of the activities concentrate on co-operative issues (EU enlargement, EU funding, representation of the co-operative sector).

Information Activities
 The information activities aim at keeping members informed about the latest developments at EU level on issues of interest to them. They involve a close monitoring of EU developments, in order to inform members at a very early stage of the decision-making procedure and allow them to prepare and put forward their reactions or comments to the EU institutions.

Members are informed of latest development at EU level through monthly newsletter :
  • EuroCoop Flash addresses general EU affairs (consumer issues, EU food policy issues,EU environment policy issues, news about members activities, Consumer Co-operative Developments, projects, etc.)
Publications of particular interest to members (Green Paper on EU Food legislation, Green Paper on commerce, preparation guides on the euro, etc.) are sent to all members. Euro Coop also undertakes analyses and prepares background notes for members on important official documents and on specific topics.

Euro Coop also responds to members' requests on specific issues, by researching and sending the documentation, preparing a summary on the developments, contacting the relevant EU officials, etc.

The general information collected by Euro Coop is sent to the member's representatives in the General Assembly, which are Euro Coop's major contact points.

Euro Coop's newsletter, EuroCoop Flash, has a larger circulation and is sent to approximately 100 people in the member organisations.

Responses to specific demands for specific information are sent to the relevant person upon request.

Promotion of Euro Coop's positions
On priority issues identified by members Euro Coop prepares positions papers or comments, approved and endorsed by the full members, are widely circulated at EU level. Recent positions include comments on the EU food legislation, the use of antibiotics in animal feed, the EU eco-label scheme, etc.

Euro Coop promotes its positions through its relations with the European Commission (particularly DG SanCo consumer policy, DG Enterprise SME's and social economy, DG Agri agriculture, the European Parliament (rapporteurs on the subjects, the consumer intergroup, social economy intergroup, UK Co-operative European Parliamentary Group, etc.) and the European Economic and Social Committee (Group III representing various interests).

Euro Coop also uses its contacts with the media, other consumer organisations and Non Governmental Organisations (environmental organisations, animal welfare, agricultural organisations, etc.) to promote its positions. In addition, Euro Coop participates and speaks at meetings, seminars, conferences, etc. to promote its various positions and increase its public profile.

Euro Coop participates in consultations with the European Commission through meetings between EU officials and Euro Coop experts, providing information to and replying to questionnaires from the European institutions, participation in the institutions' initiatives and actions, and informal comments on projects and work themes the European institutions are proposing.

As a European consumer organisation, Euro Coop sits in various consultative committees in the European Commission, including the Consumer Committee, where it promotes its positions. Euro Coop sits in consumer representation in the agricultural consultative committees and veterinary advisory committee in the European Commission.

Forum for the exchange of information
Working groups made up of experts from the member organisations and co-ordinated by Euro Coop Secretariat have been set up. There are currently five working groups, on food policy, environment policy, Consumer Policy, Cooperative Developments and Legislation and social reporting, which meet 3 to 4 times a year.

Euro Coop's general newsletter, Euro Flash, include news about members activities.

Euro Coop's annual General Assembly and Board meetings encourage the exchange of information between members.

EU funding
Euro Coop identifies areas where its members can receive financial support form the EU. Euro Coop informs its members about the latest calls for projects and calls for tender in its monthly newsletter, Euro Flash. The Secretariat is at the members' disposal for any assistance they may require in receiving further information, proposing projects and support during the implementation of the project. The Secretariat is also available to co-ordinate EU projects undertaken by the members.

Representation and collaboration with the co-operative sector
Euro Coop is a member of the EU Coordination Committee (EUCC) and closely involved in its activities. Euro Coop is also a member of the European Standing Conference of Cooperatives, Mutual Societies, Associations and Foundations(CEP-CMAF) set up by the European Commission. Euro Coop has also contacts and collaboration with the Cooperatives Europe asbl – European Region of ICA .