At the Future Forum Cooperative 2026 "State Election Special," representatives from politics, business, and the cooperative sector came together to discuss the future and framework conditions of cooperative enterprise. The focus was on questions of reliable regulation, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and political decisions that enable cooperation and strengthen regional responsibility.

The event provided space for open exchange between the top candidates of the upcoming state election and the cooperative sector. The engaged, objective, and respectful discussion highlighted the importance of cooperatives for economic stability, democratic participation, and social responsibility—in Baden-Württemberg as well as worldwide.

GESTE Foundation at the Market of Opportunities

The GESTE Foundation was represented at the Future Forum with a booth at the "Market of Opportunities." Visitors could gain insight into our projects and activities and speak with our team.

A special focus was on our engagement in Burundi—the official partner state of Baden-Württemberg as part of the AMAHORO! state partnership. Together with partner organizations, we are supporting the expansion of cooperative structures in the coffee sector. The collaboration with the Burundian cooperative association COCOCA is central here. This network comprises 20 coffee cooperatives with approximately 11,000 member families.

Since 2024, together with WeltPartner eG, we have been supporting the partner cooperatives with advice on entrepreneurial best practices. The goal is to strengthen organizational structures, improve economic prospects, and develop long-term market opportunities. In parallel, the University of Forest Sciences Rottenburg is involved in the project through the implementation of micro-agroforestry systems. These help secure income, increase the climate resilience of cultivation systems, and build sustainable agricultural structures.

Some of the coffee is already marketed with Fairtrade and partial organic certification. Other cooperatives are currently working to further develop their organizational structures and quality standards to access additional markets.

At the GESTE Foundation booth, we also presented our newly founded Support Association. Interest was high, and we are pleased to have gained new members. The Support Association offers engaged individuals and organizations an opportunity to support our work in the long term and strengthen the cooperative idea internationally.

5,000 Euros for Strengthening Cooperative Development: Donation for the GESTE Foundation

Another highlight of the Future Forum was the ceremonial handover of a check for 5,000 euros to support our work in international development cooperation, presented by the Gewinnsparverein der Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken in Baden-Württemberg e. V.

For 2026 as well, the Gewinnsparverein has received approval for the use of net proceeds in favor of the GESTE Foundation. Under this arrangement, individual Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks can allocate up to 5 percent of their available net proceeds to the GESTE Foundation. The funding is designated for the charitable purpose of promoting development cooperation.

A prerequisite for this funding is transparent and project-specific use of the funds. This ensures that support reaches exactly where it can create sustainable impact. We sincerely thank the Gewinnsparverein der Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken in Baden-Württemberg e. V. for this generous donation and their long-standing support of our work!

Cooperatives as a Model for the Future

The numerous conversations with representatives from politics and business have once again shown: the cooperative idea is alive, innovative, and future-oriented. It combines economic activity with democratic participation and social responsibility.

However, for cooperatives to continue realizing their potential, strong political and economic framework conditions are also needed. Events like the Future Forum Cooperative make an important contribution to fostering this dialogue.

We thank all discussion partners for the inspiring exchange and the great interest in the work of the GESTE Foundation.