Power to the People - Future Co-ops 2026

Across the UK society is divided. Far-right populism and the mainstreaming of extremist ideologies has provoked anti-migrant violence, damage to social cohesion, and attacks on net zero.

Trust is shattered, communities feel sidelined, and our political leaders are failing us. Power to the People will bring together those who refuse to give up on their communities, and who are ready to build real power from the ground up.

Future Co-ops 2026: Power to the People will bring together co-operative activists, policy thinkers, campaigners and community business leaders to explore how collective action, co-operation, and democratic participation can rebuild trust, and revitalise communities. It will be a space for practical ideas and political imagination rooted firmly in co-operative values.

A good start

The conference opens on the evening of Friday 27th February (5.30pm - registration from 5.00pm) with short films that speak directly to this year’s theme, mixed with poetry from Rawz, a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is rooted in words, social justice, and an exploration of our interconnected worlds. We will then gather for the traditional Future Co-ops communal dinner, with generous time for conversation, connection, and catching up. The evening takes place at The Good Intent, a welcoming city-centre not-for-profit pub nestled in Birmingham’s historic Great Western Arcade.

The main conference sessions will run on Saturday 28th February (10am-4pm - registration from 9.30am) at The Priory Rooms in Birmingham city centre. 

Opening Plenary

We are really pleased to welcome Andrew Fowler from More in Common to this year’s Future Co-ops Conference. Andrew will be presenting the latest public opinion research, including More in Common’s Shattered Britain report, which explores the driving forces behind polarisation in Britain today.

Founded in the wake of Jo Cox’s murder, More in Common works to better understand and help address political division across the UK. Andrew will outline the key fault lines in British society, the causes of division and apathy, and how their segmentation methodology helps explain polarisation across political issues.

Workshops

Together, we will examine how co-operatives can offer a credible, practical alternative that puts power back in people’s hands without scapegoating or exclusion, and consider the role they can play in shaping the next phase of democratic politics.

We’ll seek to identify where power really sits, and who is currently excluded, what a co-operative or collective approach can change, and what ideas delegates can take away and apply. 

• Jabu Nala-Hartley will facilitate a conversation on where the co-operative movement should build power next. With the political landscape shifting rapidly and the prospect of further fragmentation in the traditional two-party system, this workshop creates space for honest reflection about political alliances, influence, and long-term strategy. Together, we will explore what a changing political era means for co-operative values, policy influence, and the future direction of the movement.

• Bring your ideas and passion to a session with Ian Wilson and Deana Bamford from Coalville CAN who will share their approach to regeneration through co-operation and bold provocations for putting power into the hands of local people, where it belongs!

• Cathy Brown, Head of Economic Justice Brum for Barrow Cadbury Trust will facilitate a workshop exploring how the EJB movement is building collective power to challenge inequality and create a fairer local economy in our host city, Birmingham. Ideas and thinking that will resonate across the UK.

• In this session, Mara Livermore from Shared Future will explore how people-powered participation can shape real decision-making. Mara will share how Citizens’ Juries and Citizen Inquiries give communities meaningful influence over contested issues of public policy and inspire grassroots change.

• Kathy Hopkin, from Co-operatives West Midlands and Save Birmingham will run a practical workshop exploring ways to hold transformative conversations that challenge narratives of division.

• Jane and Shaz from Birmingham Friends of the Earth will lead a session on the climate emergency, exploring how co-ops can counter attacks on net zero through community-led action, collective resilience, and a collaboratively designed Co-operative Climate Pledge.

Financing Community Power

In addition to our morning and afternoon workshops, we are delighted to welcome Alain Demontoux, Operations and FCA Compliance Manager at Co-operative & Community Finance.

Co-operative & Community Finance is currently seeking investment in ICOF Community Capital Limited, a fund that enables communities to take control of local assets such as pubs, shops, and other vital facilities.

Alain will share a short film and outline how delegates can support the current share offer, helping to unlock capital for projects that create positive change for workers, communities, and the environment.

The conference starts from a simple belief: the most effective response to authoritarianism is more democracy, not less.

More information about the event, schedule, venues, and logistics on our website.