Within the framework its 2008 - 2009 working program, Cogeca, has launched a new initiative – the “European Award for Co-operative Innovation”. This Award is envisaged as an effective instrument to raise awareness among our member cooperatives of both the need to engage into increasingly innovative solutions, and to contribute to disseminate the achievements reached by some cooperatives in the agri-food chain.

Amidst the deployment of one of the worst financial and economic crisis of the current era, many political and business leaders have voiced their concerns for a much needed effort for genuine, innovative and creative solutions to our ever increasing economic problems.

The agribusiness sector in particular, faces multifaceted challenges as it endeavours to meet the increasing demand for food, fuel and fibre, whilst maintain the carrying capacity of our common natural endowment in a sustainable framework.

Cogeca response to these challenges is the creation of the “European Award for Co-operative Innovation”, as a means to further stimulate cooperatives to pursue such breakthrough development patterns.

We believe that member organisations are strong advocates of cooperative development and as such you will certainly value the opportunity to join forces with Cogeca in supporting the “European Award for Co-operative Innovation”.

Apart the direct interest to support cooperative innovation, we ask you to also consider the communication opportunity created at the occasion of the presentation of the award winners. This event, scheduled to take place in Brussels, in the afternoon of 24 June 2009, will have the participation of representatives of high ranking European and International officials as well as other stakeholders.

In addition to that, please note that the European Parliament has recently adopted a proposal of the European Commission and proclaimed 2009 as the year of “Innovation and Creativity”. It is therefore evident that within this favourable framework co-operatives participating in the “European Award for Co-operative Innovation”, will be found at the centre of attention of EU institutions, in the respective actions, events and policy discussions, that will be realised in 2009.