AGM 2026 – A night to reflect on what we achieved in 2025 – 2026

At the Co-operative Alternatives’ 13th AGM, we reflected on the past year and how it benefited the co-operative movement across the island.

The International Year of Co‑operatives 2025 brought renewed visibility to the movement through two major public events.

1.     A July showcase at St George’s Market attended by the Belfast City Council Mayor.

2.     Policy‑focused conference at Stormont in November featuring international speakers and delivered in partnership with the University of Limerick and the Irish Society of Co‑operative Studies.

Workshops at Carrick Greengrocers, Democratic Dialogue, Ballymacash Sports Academy, and Lacada Brewery strengthened understanding of co‑operative identity. We celebrated that with a new mural by Livy Dee, commissioned to celebrate the seven co‑operative principles in situ at Carrick Greengrocers.

For Co-ops Alternatives, a refreshed logo and redesigned website were completed under the Awards for All grant, making 13 years of resources more accessible; accountants have now designated the website as a fixed asset, signalling increased organisational value.

The organisation secured its first DfE grant in 13 years, enabling a two‑phase co‑operative development programme. The initial awareness‑raising phase (Sept 2025–Feb 2026) delivered five regional workshops with 90 participants and generated nine leads.

The Regional Co‑op Support Programme launched in May 2026 with five enrolled groups and further recruitment during October. Delivered with Trademark, the programme relied heavily on proactive outreach by practitioners Tiziana O’Hara and Alice McLarnon.

Connecting Agroecology NI launched in September with the overall aim of connecting a food system that works for everyone.  In the first year four workshops were delivered at Laurelbank Farm, Ben Vista Farm and at Jubilee Farm.  Project collaborations were delivered with Jo Facer of Laurelbank Farm and Keen2BGreen.  A new website was launched and can be viewed at Home - Connecting Agroecology in NI