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IMMERSION IN COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

This programme offers executives and professionals an immersive experience in the Basque Country’s cooperative ecosystem. It combines academic insights with practical visits to leading Cooperatives, such as Mondragon, enabling participants to witness shared ownership, democratic governance, and social responsibility in action.

Designed to fit professional development goals, the programme equips leaders with knowledge and inspiration to implement sustainable, inclusive cooperative models globally. Experience firsthand how cooperation fuels innovation and long-term success in one of the world’s most advanced cooperative systems.

  • Key Activities: 9 company visits, 4 workshops, 1 Networking Event
  • Included: Access to digital platform + Welcome Kit
  • Duration: 5 days
  • Food: Lunch included
  • Group size: Minimum 10 people, maximum 20 people
  • Certification: Travelling U diploma
  • Flights & Accommodation: Flights, visa, transport to Basque Country and Accommodation are not included

Secure your spot for the next Learning Expedition.

Basque Country as Cooperative ecosystem

The Basque Country is a global leader in Advanced Manufacturing and Cooperative Entrepreneurship, fueled by strong public-private partnerships and world-class technology centers.

Key Data

  • Bilbao:
    A global model for Urban Regeneration, now a financial hub focused on service-sector growth and public-private innovation.
  • Donostia / San Sebastian:
    The regional core for Technological Innovation and research, focusing on biosciences and advanced materials.
  • Mondragon:
    The epicenter of the Mondragon Corporation, offering direct insight into the world's largest industrial cooperative model and dual education system.

How do we design the Expedition?


Participants will engage directly with key leaders in the social economy, gaining valuable insights into best practices, operational models, and the key factors that contribute to success within the cooperative sector.

The experience is designed to foster collaboration and provide actionable strategies, highlighting how cooperatives are transforming industries and communities while empowering entrepreneurial talent.

SCROLL TO DISCOVER

Workshops & Classes

This immersive experience is shaped by a series of strategic visits and executive-level discussions, offering a comprehensive exploration of the cooperative model and its role in driving innovation and sustainable growth within Basque Country.

  • From the roots to today:
    Explore Basque historical roots, culture, identity, and mutual aid as foundations of cooperativism
  • Team Learning:
    An ideal setting for gaining fresh insights, crafting practical strategies, and building shared solutions
  • Local Cooperative Ecosystem:
    Experience a first hand immersion in Basque cooperatives
  • Take your knowledge to the next level:
    A journey tailored to address your business needs

METHODOLOGY

The Methodology behind

The programme is designed to provide a dynamic and immersive learning experience through workshops, and real-world industry exposure, totaling 30 hours. Each of the topics follows a consistent learning pattern:

Masterclass – Foundational learning through expert.
Industry Visit – Practical insights gained through direct interaction with companies.

This agenda presents the structure of Basque Country Learning Journey, that was designed to offer our participants a tailored and valuable experience. Over the course of this experience, we combined institutional sessions, company visits, networking events, and cultural activities, providing an immersive experience in the local cooperative ecosystem. While the proposed content and activities reflect the program’s objectives, the schedule remains flexible and may be adjusted based on opportunities, guest availability, and the specific needs of the group.

5-Day Programme Schedule
Day 1
📍Bilbao
Day 2
📍Mondragon
Day 3
📍San Sebastian
Day 4
📍Bilbao
Day 5
📍Bilbao
Greetings and introduction to programme and schedule. Visit to Arantzazu. pillar of Basque cultural identity. Visit to Kaiku. Swiss-owned Cooperative specializing in value-added dairy products. Visit to Mondragon AS Fabrik. Urban innovation hub and educational facility, created by Mondragon University. Closing dialogue session and crystallization of the main insights and learnings.
Understanding Historical Roots and Culture of the Basque Country. The Roots of Basque Identity and the Principle of Mutual Aid. Visit to Otalora Mondragon Corporation’s Management and Cooperative Development Center. Visit to ASETT. Leading global entity in the study and promotion of the Social Economy aimed at social and labor inclusion. Talk on the transformation of Bilbao by Aguirre Lehendakari Center. Collective check-out.
Understanding the Economic Evolution and Industrial Crisis: From Mining to R&D. Visit to Ecenarro Industrial Cooperative dedicated to the cold forming and machining of high-precision metal components, primarily for the automotive sector. Visit to Bexen medical. Cooperative specializing in the manufacture of medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and disposable medical consumables. Visit to Agintzari. Social initiative Cooperative focused on providing educational and social intervention services for vulnerable people and families.
Collective check-in and dialogue session. Visit to Elkar-Lan. Basque Social Economy entity dedicated to promoting and financing the creation of new cooperatives and worker-owned societies.

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13+ years shaping global leaders through immersive enriching experiences

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PREVNEXT
“At MTA - the entrepreneurship unit of Mondragon University Faculty of Business - we strongly bet on being an open and inspirational university. Travelling U is our strongest ally when developing international learning experiences that add extraordinary value to our LEINN degree.”
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Aitor Lizartza
Entrepreneurship Director Business Faculty Mondragon Unibertsitatea
"Working with Travelling U has been an incredible experience. As a project mentor and team coach for the International Business Programme at Shanghai Xing College, we collaborated with Travelling U for this Learning Journey in Spain. We have been long-term collaborators, working together to help students develop key skills such as cross-cultural communication, project organisation, and execution, all within an authentic international collaborative environment. Through our multicultural exchange programmes, we’ve been able to enrich the students' learning experience, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in the global business world."
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Di Wang
Founding Member and Senior Team Coach at Shanghai Xing Wei College
Without the Travelling U teams in Berlin and Shanghai, our students’ academic success, personal development, and growth in teamwork would simply not be possible. This is a team defined by genuine care, talent, commitment, humanity, and enthusiasm qualities they bring to every action and every learning experience they create. What makes them truly special is that they continue to grow and enrich themselves year after year.With them, everything feels possible — and importantly, easier.
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Mònica Casabayó
Academic Director, BITLASI (until July 2025) Top 50 undergraduate business professors by Poets & Quants
“Real professionals. They generate unique international learning experiences for the future of the workforce. From Florida Universitaria we can assure that they are the best partners for activities of this nature. They make the difficult feel easy.”
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Enrique Garcia Peña
Former Director General Florida Grup Educatiu

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