The 2026 NASCO Institute theme is Interdependence as Resistance. We'll be gathering in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan from November 13-15, 2026.
At Institute, co-opers will be exploring how cooperatives are an organizing tool and an effective alternative housing model. We’ll engage with how co-ops can foster an ecosystem that meets the needs of large student housing co-ops, start up co-ops, and everyone in between. How do we share the value that living cooperatively can offer to those who need it? We know that being plugged into community in the home is a profound solution to housing instability and creating connectedness. Let’s strategize with each other to grow our movement and increase the resources we can all share.
At Institute, we will explore what it means to build—from housing to networks to policy—while confronting the ever-mounting systemic forces working against us.
We’re excited to uplift a variety of voices to steward this exploration. If you have a skill or practice to share, a discussion to start, or a movement-wide challenge to workshop, apply to lead a session! Diverse types of offerings are encouraged: slide presentations, art making, physical movement, facilitated discussion, guided reflection, sharing of case studies, tools from theater or dance, or other creative ways to engage fellow cooperators in skill-building. This year we will be hosting hands-on cooking workshops & hands-on maintenance workshops at local co-ops! We encourage anyone curious about presenting to apply.
This year, our workshops will look a little different than previous years. Sessions will be in larger rooms, with capacity of up to 60 attendees per session. The hands-on sessions at co-ops (cooking & maintenance workshops) will be 10-20 attendees, depending on logistics. Please keep these numbers in mind when creating your session's submission.
We’re looking for sessions that explore:
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Interdependence as Resistance
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How the co-op movement can better meet the political moment & weave into other movement spaces
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Activities that foster connection between co-opers & co-ops
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Case studies of innovative co-op solutions
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Strategies for adapting in times of crisis
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Recognizing unsustainable systems
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Learnings from the broader solidarity economy movement
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- Canadian Cooperatives: seeking case studies and stories, workshops around challenges to the Canadian Co-op movement, and other ideas
- Cooperative Fundamentals: facilitation, finance, labor systems, conflict resolution, kitchen management…
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Cooperative Leadership: cooperative literacy, creativity and critical thinking, effective communication, unlearning anti-cooperative leadership…
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Co-op Staff and Member Leaders: organizational planning, fundraising, board education, work-life balance, human resources… Note that this year we are also looking for workshops to include on our Friday, November 13th Pre-conference for Co-op Staff and Member Leaders.
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Cooperation Among Cooperatives: how co-ops work together to create cooperative ecosystems, in any sector or across sectors (including housing co-ops, worker co-ops, consumer co-ops, producer co-ops…)
If you have an idea that doesn’t seem to fit in one of these categories, we’d love to hear it, as well. We welcome questions at institute@nasco.coop.
Please note that course tracks may be edited or removed based on submitted content, if your workshop fits in more than one track please be sure to select all that apply.
Presenters receive complimentary registration for NASCO Institute. Up to two presenters may be comped per session, however, co-presenters must be named at time of applying. If you anticipate having a co-presenter but have not confirmed, please note this on your application.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the early bird deadline of Sunday, June 13th 2026.