IRU - International Raiffeisen Union

09/04/2025

👂 Podcast-Tipp!
Im neuesten Podcast des Raiffeisenverband Südtirol Gen. hören wir Paulina Schwarz – die erste Frau im Vorstand der Raiffeisenkasse Gries – über ihren Weg, Herausforderungen und was es bedeutet, als Frau Verantwortung in einer Genossenschaft zu übernehmen. 🌱💪

Doch ihr Engagement geht weit über Südtirol hinaus:
Als Mitglied im Präsidium der IRU - International Raiffeisen Union e.V. vertritt sie die Anliegen des Raiffeisenverband Südtirol auf globaler Bühne. Die IRU vernetzt Genossenschaften weltweit und fördert aktiv den Austausch ihrer Mitgliedsorganisationen. Und Stimmen wie jene von Paulina Schwarz sind ein starkes Zeichen für Vielfalt und den globalen Zusammenhalt der Raiffeisen-Idee. 🌍✨

🎙️ Im Podcast gibt Paulina also nicht nur spannende Einblicke in ihre persönliche Laufbahn, sondern zeigt auch, wie wichtig internationale Zusammenarbeit gerade in Zeiten des Wandels ist.

🎧 Jetzt reinhören und inspirieren lassen:
👉 Hier geht's zum Podcast: https://lnkd.in/d26mEDjs

31/03/2025

Today, March 30th, we celebrate 207 years of a visionary whose cooperative idea transformed communities and built a movement - Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen!
But his vision is not just history. Raiffeisen's entrepreneurial cooperative principles of self-help, self-governance, and self-responsibility have empowered communities worldwide & continue to inspire millions. 🌍

And they are the heartbeat of our IRU network! 💡🌍
Bringing together cooperators, fostering exchange, experience, innovation, collaboration and mutual support. This is what Raiffeisen envisioned and the members of our IRU network strive for. And in 2025, the International Year of Cooperatives, his legacy is more relevant than ever!

"What one cannot do alone, many can!" - Happy Birthday, Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen!

20/03/2025

🌍 Women’s Cooperatives Leading the Way at UNCSW69! 💪✨

The 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW69) showcased the incredible impact of women-led cooperatives worldwide. At a special event organized by the Working Women’s Forum (WWF) – Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW), inspiring stories of grassroots women co-operators were shared, highlighting their leadership in driving economic empowerment and social change.

Among the distinguished speakers, IRU Secretary General Andreas Kappes contributed via video speech, emphasizing the key role of cooperatives in advancing gender equality, financial inclusion, and sustainable development.

With 400 participants across 13 locations in India and representatives from 15 countries, the event was a powerful reminder of the strength of cooperation in transforming lives.

https://www.iru.de/iru-participates-in-global-event-on-womens-cooperatives-at-uncsw69/

🔗 Learn more about WWF-ICNW and their inspiring work:
🌍 www.workingwomensforum.org
🌱 www.icnw.in
📢 www.unwomen.org/en/csw

💬 How do you see cooperatives contributing to women’s empowerment in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️

IRU Participates in Global Event on Women’s Cooperatives at UNCSW69 The International Raiffeisen Union (IRU) was honored to participate in a high-level virtual event on women’s leadership in cooperatives, held…

12/03/2025

Join the upcoming Microfinance Lunch Break on March 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM (CET), hosted by CERA CV and BRS - Belgian Raiffeisen Foundation!
This event will delve into the critical role of cooperatives in driving sustainable transitions in Africa.

👉 Event Highlights:
➡️ Keynote Speaker: Professor Patrick Develtere from the University of Leuven, an esteemed expert in international cooperation and cooperative movements.
➡️Topic: "The urgent need to accelerate sustainable transition in Africa: are cooperatives fit for purpose?"
➡️Introduction by: Joseph Njuguna, Director of Policy at the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
➡️Date & Time: March 26, 2025, at 12:00 PM (CET)
➡️Location: KBC Auditorium, Havenlaan 2, 1080 Brussels, Belgium, with an online livestream option available.
➡️Language: English

Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the transformative potential of cooperatives in Africa's sustainable development. Secure your spot by registering before March 24, 2025.

👉 For more information and registration, visit the event page:
https://events.brs.coop/microfinancelunchbreak2025/en/home

We look forward to your participation!

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The urgent need to accelerate sustainable transition in Africa:are cooperatives fit for purpose? 📅 Wednesday, 26st of March 2025 at...

01/10/2024

IRU Working Group Meeting: Advancing Towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025

Yesterday, the IRU Working Group Meeting met to discuss further actions within our Global Network and towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025. Participants included Klaudia Marcus (DGRV – Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e. V.), Ryan van Hout (Rabobank), Manuel Hanselmann (Austrian Raiffeisen Association) and Board Member Gustav Sawatzky (FECOPROD).

Read more:

Advancing Towards the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 Yesterday, the IRU Working Group Meeting met to discuss further actions within our Global Network and towards the International Year of Cooperatives…

05/07/2024

🌟 Happy International Day of Cooperatives! 🌟🌍

Tomorrow, we celebrate the CoopsDay with the theme "Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All." This day highlights the significant impact of cooperatives and is a reminder of the incredible contributions cooperatives make towards achieving resilient communities, economic development and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As IRU - International Raiffeisen Union, we are dedicated to fostering a strong network among our members. By sharing experiences, resources, and innovations, we aim to enhance the cooperative movement's ability to address global challenges while focusing on the core pillars of Raiffeisen's cooperative idea. His principles of democratic governance, shared ownership, and community support are more relevant than ever.

Let’s take this opportunity to recognize the strength of cooperatives and their important role in building a better future for all. Join us in celebrating the power of cooperation!

09/02/2024

🌟 Hosted by the Indian Coop Network for Women and IRU Board Member Nandini Azad, yesterdays
UN Side Event event addressed the role of in empowering women and combating violence against women and girls worldwide. IRU was part of it!
https://www.iru.de/cooperatives-empowering-women-iru-participates-in-icnw-hosted-un-side-event/

31/12/2023

🌈 New Year, New Opportunities! 🎉✨

Happy New Year! 🥂 May 2024 be a year of collaboration, growth, and impactful achievements. Let's continue to foster the spirit of cooperation and work together for shared success. Here's to a wonderful year ahead! 🌐💙

22/12/2023

🌟Season's Greetings from the IRU! 🎄 Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and festive cheer. 🎅 As we bid farewell to 2023, may the New Year bring prosperity, good health, and continued collaboration for the global cooperative community. Happy Holidays! 🌍

21/11/2023

🚀 The Raiffeisen Ambassador Training is in full swing! Our participants, 27 from 14 IRU member organizations, came together on November 16 for an engaging live exchange. 🌐 Module 1 delved deep into the Founding Concepts of Cooperatives, sparking insightful discussions on various cooperative types and functions. 🗣️ It was not only a session of learning but also a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, setting the tone for a collaborative and enriching half-year journey. Stay tuned for more updates!

Banque Raiffeisen Rabobank 中華民國儲蓄互助協會 KUSCCO Ltd National Co-operative Bank Limited - NCBL Raiffeisen Schweiz Raiffeisenverband Südtirol Österreichischer Raiffeisenverband

27/10/2023

On October 5, 2023, the IRU General Meeting's third day focused on "Green Cooperatives" offering an immersive dive into how cooperatives are reshaping the future for sustainability and environmental consciousness. Let's take a closer look at the highlights:

🌟 Opening Insights from Germany's Renewable Energy Cooperative Sector

The day commenced with an engaging presentation by Benjamin Dannemann from the Bundesgeschäftsstelle Energiegenossenschaften of DGRV. Benjamin introduced us to the dynamic German renewable energy cooperative sector, offering a glimpse into its key themes and inspiring success stories.

🚗 Vianova Cooperative: Pioneering Sustainable Urban Mobility

Mr. Reinhard Sczech, Managing Director of Vianova Cooperative, followed with an enganging input on the topic of e-mobility. The innovative Vianova cooperative is on a mission to revolutionize urban mobility through sustainable and cooperative solutions, benefitting both individuals and the environment.

🤝 Global Insights from Diverse IRU Member Organizations

The spotlight then shifted to our IRU member organizations, offering a global perspective on Green Cooperatives. Representatives from India, Belgium, and South Tyrol unveiled exciting examples of Green Cooperatives that are making a profound impact. Savitri Singh shared inspiring Indian examples of Green Cooperatives, and Paulina Schwarz provided insights into the cooperative success stories of South Tyrol.

The day reached its zenith with an impassioned address by Hannes Hollebecq, underlining the pivotal role of Green and renewable energy cooperatives in advancing sustainability, nurturing a positive societal impact, and combating climate change.

This journey through the Raiffeisen Forum demonstrated the innovation, dedication, and collective spirit that underpin cooperatives' response to pressing global challenges.

Read More: https://www.iru.de/green-cooperatives-as-a-solution-to-climate-change/

12/10/2023

🌟 Unveiling the Essence of Cooperation: Flammersfeld Visit

Exploring history with our IRU delegates! 🏠 During the IRU General Meeting on October 4, our member delegates had the opportunity to visit the Raiffeisen House in Flammersfeld, where Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen developed the world's first cooperative credit association in 1849. An enriching experience! 🌍🤝

🏡 A Glimpse into History: The Raiffeisen House displays the important milestone in the life of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen in Flammers. Here, he ignited the cooperative movement in Germany. Further, his cooperative entrepreneurial idea and the related principles and values found their beginnings in this very house.

🙌 Warm Welcome: Local Raiffeisen Ambassadors Julie Georgis and Roswitha Fischer greeted our delegates with passion and enthusiasm. They shared the significance of Flammersfeld in Raiffeisen's life.

🏠 Step by Step Through Raiffeisen's Life: A guided tour of the Raiffeisen House brought history to life. Delegates explored the evolution of cooperative principles and the milestones in Raiffeisen's journey.

🤝 Expressing Our Gratitude: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Julie Georgis, Roswitha Fischer and the entire team for their warm welcome.

🌟 A Cornerstone in the Life of Raiffeisen – Exploring Raiffeisen’s Legacy in Flammersfeld Day 2 of the IRU General Meeting took our member delegates on a captivating journey to…