Legacoop -the Balkans

Legacoop collaborations in theBalkan Region

Sofia – 23 June 2009

Stefania Marcone Head of International Relations and European Policies Office

LEGACOOP: the mission Promote cooperation;Promote cooperative ideals and experience;

identity values and culture;Represent and safeguard associate cooperatives;Control and auditing;Ensure a constant and growing contribute to the

solution of the outstanding national issues;Contribute to the international diffusion of

cooperation.

Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali

LEGACOOP in figures

Over 15,000 member cooperatives € 53,251 billion turnover ( 2006/07 Δ

+4,09%) 442,035 employees ( 2006/07 Δ +2,87%) 7,983,306 members (Δ 2006/07 +2,67%)

During the last ten years our cooperatives have doubled

the number of their employees


supporting the co-operative experience in Balkans in their process towards EU


What we do in the Balkans

• In 1991 (and all over the war): solidarity actions

• Institutional relations and promotion of cooperative know-how – putting Legacoop experience, from multisectoral, sectoral and regional organisations, at disposal of Balkan cooperative system

• Cooperation to development: recostruction of the local socio-economic fabric

• Promoting exchange and business collaboration among co-operatives, in collaboration with national and regional institutions that promote the internationalization of Italian cooperatives

How we act?

Legacoop activities Balkan Focal Point (Legacoop FVG): aimed at

coordinating and promoting relations and collaborations with Balkan cooperative organisations

Technical assistance/ support to co-operative organisations. Project PRO.COOP

Cooperation to development for promoting cooperatives in disadvantaged areas: projects mainly carried out by our cooperatives, in collaboration with NGOs, local institutions and cooperative organisations

Internationalisation: support to our member cooperatives operating in the region


What are the needs in the region?Reform of the legal framework of the Balkan co-

operative system

Technical assistance for the improvement of skills of co-operative organisations and co-operators

Improvement of the image of co-operative enterprise as an efficient tool of socio-economic development

Promotion of social cohesion and stability


The project PRO.COOP.

PROmotion of COOPerative enterprises for economic and social cohesion

Main objectives:- Provide technical assistance for their legislative reform,

training activities for the improvement of co-operators’ skills and for the strengthening of Balkan co-operative organisations;

- Promote collaboration among small and medium enterprises, fostering local development, socio-economic cohesion and internationalisation processes.

Countries: Croazia, Montenegro, Bulgaria


PARTNERS

LEGACOOP FVG, CONFCOOPERATIVE FVG

CCU BULGARIA, CROATIAN ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES, LOCAL DEMOCRACY AGENCY NIKSIC MONTENEGRO

REGIONE FVG, INFORMEST, ICE

In collaboration with LEGACOOP NATIONAL


DURATION OF THE PROJECT: 2 YEARS (2008-2010)

ACTIONS


1. Analysis of legal framework and

territorial context

2.Strenghtening of Balkan co-

operative associations:

technical assistance -

pilot action of civil economy

3. Development of economic

opportunities (Networking/ Balkan

Focal Point)

4. Publicationof project’s outcomes

CARRIED OUT/UP-COMING ACTIVITIES


Kick-off meeting - Zagabria, 27 May, 2008

2 Managing Committees: Udine, 17-18 September, 2008 Sofia, 26-27 March 2009

Training workshops and seminars in Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro

Comparative analysis of the co-operative legal framework in the region

Web site / Data base

Stages in Italian co-operative associations for partner organisations

B2B matching

Italian co-operatives operating in Balkans

- Presence of Italian co-operatives in some countries fostered a deep knowledge of the context and reliable and trusty relationships with local organisations, communities and institutions.

- Main sectors involved:Retailer and consumer cooperativesService cooperativesAgro-food, social cooperation, fishery, tourism,

worker and production


Fostering peace and social cohesion through multiethnic cooperatives

Cooperation to development projects in the area of Doboj – Bosnia Herzegovina: 3 multiethnic coops created

Projects are carried out in partnership with:

- The Co-operative Association of Bosnia – Herzegovina

- Local institutions- Italian cooperatives (Reggio

Emilia), national and regional institutions, NGO.


““

It is not a matter of imaging new It is not a matter of imaging new development strategies: learning by and development strategies: learning by and working with Italian cooperatives we can working with Italian cooperatives we can find our path towards the European find our path towards the European Union”. Union”. Branko Joksimovic - Bosnian farmerBranko Joksimovic - Bosnian farmer

Thank you!Thank [email protected]

www.legacoop.coop


Business

Legacoop -the Balkans