Cooperative Housing Movement Makes Headlines Across the Globe  

Geneva Hosts PESCHA Conference: A Catalyst for Student Cooperative Housing  

The Pan-European Student Housing Cooperative Association (PESCHA) held a two-day conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 3-4, 2024. Organized by urbaMonde and Cooperative Housing International (CHI), the event explored innovative strategies for advancing student housing cooperatives.  

Participants toured Geneva’s cooperative housing landmarks, including La Ciguë, CODHA, and Equilibre. Day two featured dynamic workshops on governance, financing, and global perspectives, inspiring participants to strengthen cooperative housing across Europe.  

Catalonia’s Cooperative Housing Expansion  

Sostre Civic, a CHI member, secured €31 million in funding to build over 350 cooperative homes in Catalonia. Supported by local governments and the Council of Europe Development Bank, these projects will offer affordable, sustainable housing while fostering community-driven management.  

Sweden Launches Global Housing Initiative  

Swedish cooperatives We Effect, HSB, and Riksbyggen are joining forces to create resilient, affordable housing solutions worldwide. This international program will target vulnerable communities in East Africa, Latin America, and Ukraine, leveraging Sweden’s expertise in cooperative housing.  

Australia’s Path to Cooperative Housing Growth  

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) highlights the transformative potential of cooperative housing in Australia. Drawing from European models, the BCCM proposes policy changes to boost cooperative housing’s role in addressing rental affordability.  

Upcoming Events: International Year of Cooperatives Launch in India  

India will host the Global Cooperative Conference from November 25 to 30, 2024, marking the official launch of the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025. Cooperative leaders from around the world will gather to discuss sustainable development and economic inclusion.  

You can read more about these initiatives in our newsletter. For more updates on cooperative housing innovations and events, stay tuned to CHI’s upcoming newsletters and don’t forget to subscribe.