Training, Seminars, and Similar Events for Cooperatives

The Raiffeisen Foundation supports nationwide training courses, seminars, and comparable continuing education formats for employees of rural cooperatives at regional and national levels – in justified exceptional cases also internationally. Funding is provided to companies, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions that offer programs on fundamental issues of the cooperative system as well as on agricultural and food industry-related specialist topics. Furthermore, economic, political, and legal developments with particular relevance to the rural cooperative sector may be addressed. The aim is to strengthen the professional and methodological competence of members, employees, executives, and volunteers as well as trainees, vocational school students, and cooperative institutions, and to promote exchange within the network.

Applications are submitted informally by the management of the cooperative companies or institutions, either electronically or in writing, and can be made at any time. Required documents include, among others, information about the applicant, a concise project description with objectives, methods, and organization, a detailed financing plan, and a presentation of sustainability aspects. Additional evidence of previously submitted funding applications to other institutions as well as information on co-funders in case of partial funding must be attached. Selection is based on formal completeness, a recommendation from the board, and consideration of sustainability criteria. Through continuous funding commitments, the Foundation makes a sustainable contribution to strengthening the educational landscape in the cooperative sector.