FRS Network have been approved a research grant from the Golden Jubilee Trust to conduct research to find out young farmer’s attitudes to Co-operatives, Co-op shareholding, Co-op boards and their possible involvement in boards of management in the future.

FRS have appointed Dr Pat Bogue, Broadmore Research and Consultancy, to conduct, analyse and report back findings of the surveys to gain an independent outlook on the likely participation of young people in the future of co-operatives in Ireland going forward.

Peter Byrne, CEO of FRS Network, said “We are delighted to have the support of Golden Jubilee Trust in order to do this very important piece of research. Most co-ops in Ireland have young farmers trading with them who are not shareholders and may never have given consideration to the benefit or otherwise of having shareholdings. Their parents may well be shareholders but have not discussed the transfer of their shares. Future board members will have to be elected among future shareholders – therefore it is important we introduce these young people to how Co-ops are managed and how their future management will be secured. The starting point is this research that will lead to the insights to plan the future.”

Michael Spellman, President of ICOS and Director of Golden Jubilee Trust, said “After assessing FRS Networks’ application for the grant it was clear to see that steps needed to be taken in this area to gauge the future of the co-operative movement in Ireland as it rests in the hands of our young farmers. The now older generation have historically played an active part in co-operatives and we need to pass this on to the next generation. Both Golden Jubilee Trust and ICOS are proactively working on engagement with the younger generation and this important piece of research will show what these young people are currently thinking about co-ops and their future participation in them. We are delighted to be part of this project.”

Dr Pat Bogue, Broadmore Research and Consultancy said “When Peter Byrne spoke to me about the research I was immediately engaged and listened to what the piece of research needed to achieve. We are looking forward to launching the survey and are confident that young farmers out there will take part and have their voice heard. The co-operative movement is very important to the Irish rural community and we aim that this research and future research thereafter, will help form action to preserve the active participation in Co-operatives through young people getting involved like their parents and grandparents did before them.”

FRS Network, Global Jubilee Trust, ICOS and Broadmore Research invite all to take part in the  survey on www.frsnetwork.ie/survey where your responses will be confidential.

If you have any further queries about the survey please contact Pat Bogue, Broadmore Research and Consultancy on 087-2361192/065-6820812 or patb@broadmore.ie