The conference brought together approximately 220 participants, including representatives from the European Commission such as the commissioner Laszlo Andor, wider civil society representatives, academic experts and guest speakers.

The cooperative movement had a broad representation in the conference with the participation, among others, the president of the International Cooperative Alliance, Pauline Green, the Co-Chair of Co-operatives Europe, Felice Scalvini and the Secretary General of CECOP, Bruno Roelants.