Biennial of cooperative economics in Milan: the program of 9 and 10 October

The Legacoop event returns to Milan in the year of the association's 140th anniversary. At the center of the discussion is the role of cooperatives between energy transition, work, welfare and European policies, with the participation of representatives of institutions, politics and the economy.

On 9 and 10 October 2026, Milan hosts the Biennial of cooperative economics organized by Legacoop, an event that this year is intertwined with the celebrations for the 140th anniversary of the association. The event offers two days of analysis and debate on the role of the cooperative model in the face of ongoing economic and social transformations.

The Manifesto for Italy and the discussions on Friday 9 October

The works will open on Friday with institutional greetings from the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, and the president of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana. Following this, the president of Legacoop Simone Gamberini will illustrate the Manifesto for Italy, a programmatic document focused on four areas of intervention: energy transition, youth and work policies, inclusion and welfare reform. The morning will continue with a space dedicated to dialogue between institutions and social partners. From 11.40, representatives of the national political scene will speak, including Antonio Tajani (vice-president of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs, awaiting confirmation), Giuseppe Conte and Elly Schlein. At 12.30 the discussion will move to the topic of work with a round table that will bring together the union leaders Vera Buonomo (UIL), Giorgio Graziani (CISL) and Maurizio Landini (CGIL).

European policies and the analysis of Nobel Prize winner Philippe Aghion

Saturday 10 October will be dedicated to European development prospects. Two in-depth panels on the Union's economic policies will be held from 9.15am, with the participation of ministers, MEPs and representatives of the private and cooperative sector. The central moment of the morning is set for 11.30 with the speech by Philippe Aghion, Nobel Prize winner for economics 2025, focused on the relationship between growth, cooperation and social cohesion on the continent. The report will be followed by a multi-vocal discussion in which, among others, Raffaele Fitto, Romano Prodi and Carlo Cimbri will take part.

The cultural events on the sidelines

The Biennial program also includes a public evening of in-depth study. On Friday 9 October, at 8.30pm, the Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Foundation will host the meeting "Economy of war or economy of peace?". During the event, the short film Everyday in Gaza will be screened, a work awarded with the David di Donatello 2026.