Learning Innovation Across Cultures: Shaping the Future of Cooperatives through Education and Information!
CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the First Executive Masterclass in Cooperative Innovation, a landmark initiative powered by our education arm, the Co-operative College of the Philippines (CCP). This program is a direct commitment to Co-operative Principle No. 5: Education, Training, and Information. Recognizing that local growth requires global vision, they carefully designed this Masterclass to immerse Filipino co-op leaders in the world-renowned, successful cooperative models of Spain. This strategic move reinforces CLIMBS’ core mission: equipping our movement with the best international knowledge to build a stronger, more resilient future.
The intensive week-long Masterclass, held from September 21 to 27, 2025, brought together 41 delegates from 15 cooperatives across the Philippines. The program combined cultural immersion and academic learning across key Spanish regions; Madrid, Bilbao, and the cooperative hub of Mondragon in the Basque Country. The curriculum was both comprehensive and practical, featuring leadership development sessions at Mondragon’s Otalora Training Center and in-depth discussions on cooperative insurance with Seguros Lagun Aro. Participants also explored timely topics such as climate risk management and sustainability initiatives, engaged in hands-on workshops at Mondragon University, and concluded the program with an official MOU signing to strengthen long-term international collaboration.
The exposure to world-class governance and innovative practices has strengthened the delegates’ sense of purpose and capability. As they apply these global insights in the Philippines, they are set to drive meaningful improvements within their organizations, including the Co-operative College of the Philippines and CLIMBS. This investment in advanced cooperative education—globally aligned yet locally grounded—continues to be a key driver of sustainable growth in the Philippine cooperative sector.