A three-part, hands-on workshop featuring real experiences from cooperativas and credit unions that have navigated climate disasters and adapted operations and products to serve and protect their communities. Through interactive vignettes and small working groups, attendees will explore: 

• Short- and long-term recovery and rebuilding strategies from credit unions and cooperativas that were impacted by hurricanes in Puerto Rico and wildfires in Los Angeles

• How to strengthen and expand business continuity planning 

• How to partner with local organizations to support members during crises 

• The types of loan products most useful immediately after a crisis, and those most relevant as you rebuild 

A plenary panel to discuss how credit unions and cooperativas are financing housing, small business growth, tourism and other economic drivers through loan participations and collaborative lending models.  

• Identify community needs that lead to lending opportunities 

• Structuring loan participations and partnerships 

• Manage risk, liquidity, and regulatory challenges 

• Lessons learned and emerging opportunities 

An interactive session focused on building local ecosystems that strengthen homeownership, small business growth, and community development. Participants will:  

• Map out the stakeholders that participate in homeownership and small business and other sectors that contribute to local economies

• How to track the results of these relationships

• Discuss how Inclusiv can support local efforts  

A forward-looking conversation on strengthening political resilience while staying rooted in cooperative purpose and balancing advocacy, adaptability, and collaboration. Attendees will take away the following:

• Building coalitions, partnerships, and advocacy networks 

• Identifying opportunities for influence at local, state, and federal levels 

• Withstanding disruption, adapting to rapid changes, anding lead through them

Spend the day visiting two leading cooperativas to see firsthand how they anchored communities during crisis and recovery. These immersive visits will highlight practical models in resilience infrastructure, community partnerships, and member-focused innovation.

• Cooperativa La Sagrada Familia in Naranjito - a rural financial cooperative founded in 1959 and Puerto Rico's first financial cooperative to become a certified CDFI. Here attendees will explore: 
  • The "Oasis" community hub with solar power, water access, and off-grid emergency systems
  • Partnerships with health centers, supermarkets, and emergency agencies
  • Resilience-focused product design and member services
  • Long-term rebuilding strategies driven by community need
     
• Cooperativa La Comeriena in Comerio -  A CDFI with more than 6500 member owners and a strong focus on inclusion and recovery. Attendees will learn: 
  • A digital inclusion center offering free public technology access
  • Staff training to serve deaf and hard-of-hearing members
  • Recovery efforts after catastrophic flooding
  • Business continuity improvements and preparedness planning for future events.