From 3 to 6 November 2026, Valencia will become the European epicenter of cooperative thinking, research, and practice with the celebration of the ICA CCR European Congress. Organized by the Centre for Business Management Research (CEGEA) at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, following the mandate of the Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR) of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the meeting will take place on the university’s premises.
Under the slogan ‘Cooperative Enterprises for Shared Progress: Addressing Global Challenges Together’, the congress is based on a firm conviction: cooperatives, in all their organizational and territorial diversity, are key players in addressing the major economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time. From digital transformation to ecological transition, social cohesion and territorial development, this forum aims to generate rigorous knowledge and concrete proposals that promote more sustainable, inclusive and democratic progress.
A European forum for debate and generating solutions
The ICA CCR Europe Research Conference has established itself as a privileged meeting place for researchers, teachers, professionals, public officials, and leaders of the cooperative movement in Europe and other continents. Beyond the presentation of academic papers, the conference is envisioned as a genuine forum for discussion, the exchange of ideas, and the co-creation of solutions to the real problems facing cooperatives today.
The academic program will open on 3 November with a day specifically dedicated to Young and Emerging Scholars, reinforcing the commitment to new generations of researchers. From 4 to 6 November, the conference will be dedicated to the entire research and professional community, with 17 research streams addressing both classic areas of cooperativism and emerging lines of research aligned with the current challenges facing the sector. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 27 March, which is also the final date for submitting session proposals, encouraging innovative formats and high-value-added sessions.
The conference will feature two plenary sessions, as well as multiple parallel sessions designed to foster critical debate, explore contrasting approaches, and promote dialogue between theory and practice. English will be the working language of the conference, with simultaneous translation provided in the plenary sessions and a selection of parallel sessions, thereby ensuring broad and diverse participation.
Valencia: history, architecture, and Mediterranean hospitality
Spain has a long tradition and significant economic and social influence in the field of cooperativism, with over 22,000 companies and direct employment of approximately 400,000 workers. The Valencian Community ranks third in terms of the number of cooperatives and workers, with leading companies in their respective sectors of activity that are well established in this region. These include CAJAMAR, the leader in Spanish cooperative banking, which has integrated several Valencian credit cooperatives through successive mergers; CONSUM, a consumer cooperative that has established itself as one of the leading companies in Spanish distribution; ANECOOP, currently the leading Spanish fruit and vegetable export group; and LA FLORIDA, the second largest Spanish university education cooperative group. Valencia’s commitment to the cooperative movement earned its recognition as the Spanish capital of the social economy in 2024.
As a city, the choice of Valencia as the venue is no coincidence. It offers an exceptional environment that combines a rich historical and architectural heritage — with sites such as the Silk Exchange and the historic quarter — with a firm commitment to innovation and sustainability, symbolized by spaces such as the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. All this, together with its climate, gastronomy, and Mediterranean character, make Valencia an incomparable setting for collective reflection and discussion.
The Congress’ social program will reinforce this experience with visits to local cooperatives, allowing participants to learn first-hand about successful cases and best practices. There will also be an institutional reception in the historic center, followed by a gala dinner featuring local food and wine, which will highlight Valencia’s gastronomic and cultural traditions.
The 2026 ICA European Congress in Valencia is, in short, an unmissable event for those who research, lead, or collaborate with cooperatives, as well as for all those committed to building fairer, more resilient, and community-oriented business models.
You can find more detailed information about the Congress at https://ica-ccr-europe-2026.webs.upv.es/
