In 2025 we leave behind the International Year of Cooperatives, decreed by UNESCO for the capacity we have to create a better world; but its mission does not end there, since it will continue to be the response to existing social, economic and environmental challenges
We live in a world of uncertainties and insecurities due to latent international conflicts, the housing crisis, the increase in inequalities, the rise of totalitarian positions and hate speech, have highlighted the general co-directors of Suara Cooperativa, Laura Peracaula and Tomàs Llompart, in the congratulatory video for 2026, where they have also made a brief assessment of how the year is expected to be.
“(A year) Of many challenges and, also, of new opportunities”, Peracaula emphasizes in this communication, where it has also been put on the table how from cooperativism the responses to the existing crises can be woven.
We close the door on 2025, the International Year of Cooperatives, decreed by UNESCO, for the capacity we have to build a better world. The current context demands that we continue with this mission. "Cooperatives like Suara have the opportunity to be and continue to be the necessary response to the challenges that arise from the existing economic, social and environmental crises," highlights Llompart.
In the case of Suara Cooperativa, our mission is to transform the social environment to improve the reality of people from the territory and with the territories. To make this possible, we are governed by four key values: proximity to the person served with services rooted in the territory; participation in decision-making as a tool for empowering members, workers and those served in decision-making; innovation as an instrument that we put at the service of people to break the existing social, economic and digital gaps; as well as social responsibility to implement ethical, sustainable and transparent action that ensures both the well-being of people and the environment.
Year of Occupational Health and Safety
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the approval of the law on the prevention of occupational risks, the Spanish government has decreed 2026 as the Year of Occupational Health and Safety. In this area, however, there is still a long way to go. Common work absences have soared by 167% in twelve years. In addition, according to the Global Workforce of the Future 2023 study by Addeco, signs of burnout already affect 70% of workers in Spain.
Therefore, at Suara Cooperativa we defend the need for organizations to be more involved in ensuring the health and well-being of their workers, especially at a time when the pace, digitalization and new professional demands directly impact their well-being.
An objective that we have been pursuing for years at Suara Cooperativa with programs that ensure the well-being of workers such as Deixa’t Cuidar (physiotherapy) or Immersive Mindfulness. In addition, we make Benestarum available to these workers, a platform where workers can access individual or group sessions with experts in health and psychological and physical well-being, as well as in the field of nutrition or tax advice.
Intercooperation
Also, at Suara Cooperativa we are aware that to achieve our mission of social transformation it is essential that we intercooperate with other organizations, civil society entities, public administration, universities and research institutes, the economic fabric or the local community. In this way, we can offer more solid and robust responses to current challenges.
“At Suara Cooperativa we decide to transform global challenges into real opportunities for people. We decide to act in a network towards the generation of more just and sustainable societies”, highlights Peracaula at the end of the video, where Llompart concludes: “Happy 2026, a year that will surely surprise us with the changes and situations we will experience. Thank you for accompanying us and deciding to be part of this collective transformation”.
