What inspiring action has a cooperative, cooperative bank, or mutual insurance company recently taken? A new initiative for the benefit of the local community? A significant member benefit? An innovative way of practicing cooperativism?
Now is the time to bring these actions and achievements into the spotlight! At Pellervon Päivä on April 2, 2025, the Cooperative Act of the Year will be announced for the second time!
A winning action can be big or small, impactful for a wide group of people, or targeted at a specific audience. It must have taken place at least partially during 2024. The action should also align with one or more cooperative values or principles. Actions that make it to the final stage of the competition share the characteristic of inspiring other cooperatives or similar organizations.
Anyone can nominate candidates for the competition, and the final selection will be made by a separate jury. The 2025 jury consists of Member of Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Parliament’s Cooperative Group Johannes Koskinen, Secretary General of the UN Global Compact Finland Marja Innanen, and Editor-in-Chief of Talouselämä Jussi Kärki.
The winner of the Cooperative Act of the Year 2024 competition was Oulun Seudun Sähkö, which created sustainable benefits for its members and demonstrated social responsibility. It provided its customer-owners with stable and competitively priced energy and built a solar park in Liminka to produce district heating.
The finalists will be introduced in March 2025. Proposals can be submitted until February 28 via this form (in Finnish).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cooperative itself be nominated?
A cooperative can be nominated if it was founded or started its operations during 2024. For older cooperatives, mere existence is not enough; the nomination must be based on a specific action.
Can I nominate a cooperative that I am not a member of?
Absolutely.
Can I nominate two actions?
Yes, you can. Or even three.
What about multiple actions from the same cooperative?
That’s fine as well.
Got more questions?
Contact Hanna Muukka at hanna.muukka@pellervo.fi