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, the ICA and its Thematic Committees and Sectoral Organisations will organise meetings as part of the ICA Delegate Experience, 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
• Cooperative Seminars and more
REGISTER HERE
Information regarding the week’s itinerary, visas and travel authorisation, and other logistics can be found below 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 | Link to hotel recommendations is provided below. |
| Welcome and check-in 15:00-18:00 | Co-op Group HQ 1 Angel Square Manchester M60 0AG | All delegates must report to the check-in desk to gain access to any Festival of Co-operatives events or activities. | |
| Board Dinner 19:00-21:00 | Co-op Group HQ | For ICA Board only | |
| Wednesday, 2 July | Welcome and check-in 9:00-17:00 | Co-op Group HQ | All delegates must report to the check-in desk to gain access to any Festival of Co-operatives events or activities. |
| ICA delegate experience | Pick up and drop off meeting points for all activities is outside Co-op Group HQ. | A programme of co-operative related activities for those not attending the Board Meeting and/or General Assembly. Click here for more information including timings and booking instructions. | |
| ICA Board Meeting 9:00-11:00 | Manchester City Council Chamber, Town Hall Extension, Manchester, M2 5DB, United Kingdom | ICA Board of Directors only | |
| Networking Lunch 11:30-13:00 | Manchester City Council Chamber | Lunch will be provided for ICA Members attending the ICA General Assembly. All other registrants will be given a Co-op Gift Voucher to get lunch at a local Co-op store. Please note that it is a 20-minute walk from Co-op Group HQ to the Manchester City Council Chamber where the General Assembly is taking place. | |
| ICA General Assembly 13:30-17:00 | Manchester City Council Chamber | ICA Members only who have registered for the General Assembly. | |
| ICA Delegate Evening Reception 18:00-20:00 | Co-op Group HQ | All registrants to the Festival of Cooperatives | |
| Thursday, 3 July | Meetings of ICA bodies | The Co-op Group HQ and Co-operatives UK, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS | The ICA, Regions, Sectoral Organisations and Thematic Committees will hold meetings. See below for the summary of side events and link to exact location for each. |
| ICA delegate experience | Pick up and drop off meeting points for all activities is outside Co-op Group HQ. | A programme of co-operative related activities available for all delegates. . Click here for more information including timings and booking instructions. |
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 | SOLD OUT | 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. |
| Festival of Cooperatives | Rochdale Town Centre | There are plenty of free and paid for activities to enjoy while visiting Rochdale – the Birthplace of cooperation. Click here for more information. | |
| 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 | 25 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 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 | |
| ICA Delegate Experience | ||
| 4-5 July | Tourist attractions | Some activities might require an additional cost. |
| 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 here along with tips for getting to, around and visiting Manchester.
If you want to stay in Rochdale, you can book hotels here or 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.
Photos and maps
Manchester
Manchester City Council Chamber | Google Maps
One Angel Square (The Co-op) | Google Maps
Rochdale
Rochdale Town Hall | Google Maps
Transit
Manchester Victoria Station to Rochdale Station
Line northern via Northern Railway
To Rochdale: terminal station Rochdale
To Manchester: terminal station Chester or Wigan Wallgate or Manchester Victoria or Clitheroe
