Festival of Co-operatives in Manchester and Rochdale

Wednesday 2 July 2025

Thursday 3 July 2025

Friday 4 July 2025

Saturday 5 July 2025

During 2025 - the second International Year of Cooperatives proclaimed by the United Nations and 130th anniversary of the ICA - the team is preparing a very special General Assembly. The Assembly will be held during a four-day celebration of cooperative activity in Manchester & Rochdale, UK – the place where the modern day cooperative movement was born.

Hosted by the Co-operative Group and Co-operatives UK, the ICA General Assembly will take place on 2 July in Manchester. There are also celebratory activities planned for international participants lasting throughout the week, including Saturday 5 July 2025 to celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives.

On 3 July, ICA and its Thematic Committees and Sectoral Organisations will organise meetings where there will be a programme of activities for participants to take part in.

Additional activities are being organised in both Manchester and Rochdale aimed to inform about and celebrate the history of the cooperative movement in the United Kingdom. Activities will include:

•    Visits to cooperatives in Manchester and the region
•    Tours of the Rochdale Pioneers Museum
•    Co-operative Seminars and more

Registration will begin in April. Information regarding the week’s itinerary, visas and travel authorisation, and other logistics can be found here and will be updated regularly.

Learn more about our hosts and the cooperative movement in the UK here and about the ICA General Assembly here.

Week at a Glance: Detailed Itinerary

*Subject to change.

Date	Activity	Location	Key notes
Tuesday, 1 July	Arrival in Manchester	Manchester	Hotel recommendations will be provided by Marketing Manchester.
Tuesday, 1 July	Board Dinner 18:00-20:00	Co-op Group headquarters, 1 Angel Square	For ICA Board only
Wednesday, 2 July	Welcome and registration desk 9:00-13:00	TBC
	Activities programme	Various locations across the greater Manchester region	A programme of activities for those not attending the Board Meeting and/or General Assembly
	ICA Board Meeting 9:00-11:00	Manchester City Council Chamber	ICA Board of Directors only
	Networking Lunch 11:00-13:00	TBC
	ICA General Assembly 13:00-17:00	TBC
	ICA Delegate Evening Reception 18:00-20:00	TBC
Thursday, 3 July	Meetings of ICA bodies	The Co-op Group at 1 Angel Square & Co-operatives UK at Holyoake House	The ICA, Regions, Sectoral Organisations and Thematic Committees will hold meetings
Thursday, 3 July	Activities Programme	Various locations across the greater Manchester region	Various activities & tours such as seminars about the cooperative movement in the UK, the Rochdale Pioneers Museum, People’s History Museum and tours of local co-ops.

4-5 July activities are in Rochdale. There are regular trains to Rochdale that take only 12 minutes or delegates can stay in Rochdale.

4-5 July	UK Co-op Congress 2025	Rochdale Town Hall	A limited number of tickets have been reserved for ICA delegates which will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
4-5 July	Festival of Co-operation	Rochdale Town Centre	A programme of free and paid for booking activity taking place in Rochdale throughout the day. Translation TBC.
4 July	UK Co-op Congress International Supper	Rochdale Town Hall	A limited number of tickets have been reserved for ICA delegates. These will be issued on a first come first serve basis.
5 July	National Youth Summit	Rochdale Town Hall	50 free spaces available for International guests under 30 years old.

Registration Fees

Participation in the various activities will be based on a ticketing system. The prices below do not include the 20% VAT required in the United Kingdom.

Date	What	Ticket cost
2 July	ICA Board Meeting Activities programme Networking lunch ICA General Assembly (Representatives only) Evening reception	Free for the first registrant, EUR 400 for each additional registrant. Free for the first interpreter, EUR 100 for each additional interpreter. EUR 200 for family members who only attend the social events. Some activities might require additional cost (ticket).
3 July	Side events – side meetings of ICA bodies
3 July	Activities programme
4-5 July	Festival of Co-operation	Some activities might require an additional cost.
4-5 July	UK Co-op Congress 2025 and the International Supper	Reduced registration fee for ICA delegates. Cost will depend on which activities delegates will attend and how many are in your delegation. Contact the ICA for more details.

Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation

Please be advised that, starting in 2025, travellers from ALL COUNTRIES will either need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa to visit the United Kingdom.

Attendees are solely responsible for obtaining any required visas and electronic travel authorisation.

Citizens of many countries need a visa to visit the United Kingdom. Learn more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration

Citizens of countries such as Canada, United States, EU and European countries need an ETA to visit the United Kingdom. Learn more here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

An Invitation Letter for the purpose of visa application is available upon request. Please contact Emily Wright at wright@ica.coop to request an application form for an invitation letter.

Accommodation & Local Sightseeing

Recommendations for accommodation in Manchester are provided by Marketing Manchester can be found on the website here. If you want to stay in Rochdale, you can find local registrations here.

Transportation

Please be advised that attendees are solely responsible for arranging accommodation in Manchester and/or Rochdale and transportation before, after, and during the events of the week. Meals will only be provided if specifically organised during the event (these will be listed) – all other meals are to be arranged by and paid for by the delegate.