Stronger Together' congress at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace organised by ÖGV and ÖRV
The grand halls of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace set the stage on October 23, 2025, for a significant international gathering focused on cooperative enterprises. The congress, titled "Stronger Together," was organised by the Austrian Cooperative Association (ÖGV) and the Austrian Raiffeisen Association (ÖRV) and marked a pivotal moment in Austria’s recognition of the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives. This event drew around 400 influential participants from banking, trade, political spheres, and international cooperative leaders, all convened to explore how cooperative business models can address contemporary economic and social challenges.
At the forefront, Raiffeisen General Counsel Erwin Hameseder emphasised the vital role cooperatives play not only in Austria but globally, describing them as essential problem-solvers that contribute substantially to regional economic, social, and societal well-being. Peter Haubner, ÖGV’s chairman, framed the congress as a platform to showcase cooperatives as innovative economic structures adaptable across diverse sectors — from financial services to retail and industry. This reinforced the concept that cooperatives represent viable and sustainable business models that balance economic efficiency with social responsibility.
A highlight of the event was the keynote speech delivered by Ralf Rangnick, Austria’s national football team coach. Rangnick used sports as an analogy to underscore the power of collaboration, explaining how individuals can effectively unite to form a cohesive and high-performing team — a metaphor that neatly aligned with the cooperative spirit. His address set the tone for subsequent presentations exploring various dimensions of cooperation and innovation. Among these, Professor Trebor Scholz from New York discussed "Platform Cooperativism," a digital age adaptation of cooperative principles that emphasises user ownership and democratic governance in online platforms. Additionally, Clemens Pig, head of the Austrian Press Agency (APA), highlighted the essential role of independent, cooperative journalism in safeguarding media freedom, linking cooperative values to broader societal benefits.
The congress further extended into practical engagement with a session on "Collective Intelligence," where participants undertook a swarm experiment guided by Michael Hengl, CEO of 1492 AG. This experiential segment demonstrated the potential benefits of collective decision-making in enhancing organisational excellence. The programme included panel discussions featuring cooperative thought leaders such as Michael Höllerer of Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien and Anna Doblhofer-Bachleitner from the Raiffeisenverband Salzburg. They debated the future resilience of cooperative banks amidst shifting economic landscapes, thereby addressing member concerns about sustainability and adaptation.
Innovative cooperative models were presented by emerging players such as the Austrian Primary Care Association and IT cooperatives like ESIT, highlighting the diversity of the cooperative ecosystem and its capacity to foster transformation and collaborative problem-solving across industries. Concluding the congress, Johannes Rehulka, ÖRV’s Secretary General, along with Rainer Borns of Volksbank Wien, reiterated the fundamental importance of cooperative collaboration, thanking delegates for their commitment to nurturing this inclusive economic approach.
This congress underscored the belief that cooperative enterprises, by combining economic innovation with social solidarity, are uniquely positioned to meet many of the pressing challenges faced today. The event not only celebrated the successes and legacy of cooperatives but also served as a call to action to harness their collective strength in shaping future economic models.
Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, a venue also known for hosting globally significant events such as the Austrian World Summit on climate action earlier in 2025, continues to be a symbolic backdrop for convergence on pressing international issues—from sustainability to economic cooperation. The "Stronger Together" congress thus fits within a broader tradition of Vienna as a hub for collaboration and forward-thinking dialogue at the intersection of economics, society, and innovation.