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.
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.
Local Cooperative Ecosystem
This Learning Expedition visits the three leading Basque urban areas that showcase the region's unique model for economic resilience, cooperative innovation, and urban transformation.
This are some of the industries and organisations we work with.
- Mondragon CorporationMondragon Corporation is the world's largest industrial cooperative group, based in the Basque Country, encompassing over 80,000 workers organized into more than 90 cooperatives across finance, industry, retail, and knowledge, generating consolidated sales of over €11 billion annually.
- KaikuKaiku is a leading brand and Cooperative in Spain's functional dairy sector, majority-owned by Switzerland's Emmi Group, while maintaining strong ties to its founding Basque and Navarran farmers' cooperatives.
- EcenarroEcenarro S.Coop. is an industrial Cooperative, founded in 1957 specializing in the manufacturing of high-precision metal components using cold forming and machining processes, primarily serving the demanding automotive industry.
- Mondragon UniversityMondragon University is a non-profit, Cooperative university within the Mondragon Corporation, internationally recognized for its dual education model (study and work), high employment rate, and focus on practical engineering, innovation, and business management.
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.
| 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. |
Partnering with trusted organisations to deliver immersive global experiences











13+ years shaping global leaders through immersive enriching experiences

Entrepreneurship Director Business Faculty Mondragon Unibertsitatea

Founding Member and Senior Team Coach at Shanghai Xing Wei College

Academic Director, BITLASI (until July 2025) Top 50 undergraduate business professors by Poets & Quants

Former Director General Florida Grup Educatiu
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