Around the globe
Social economy entities are active around the globe. Historical traditions and current practices vary, but the principles of the social economy can be found in all regions of our planet.
National governments and social economy entities can learn a lot from each other, including across continents.
Europe can get inspired by organisations in the Global South and vice-versa.
Growing political momentum for the social economy
In the past years the political momentum for the social economy has grown significantly. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations have been working on initiatives related to the social economy.
As a result of the collective efforts of various stakeholders and national governments, a significant milestone was reached in April 2023 with the adoption of the first-ever UN resolution on the social economy. This landmark resolution highlights the growing recognition and importance of the social economy on a global scale.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The European Commission and the OECD have been working closely together on many joint projects and reports about the social economy. For a selection of these reports, please consult our resources section.
OECD work on Social Economy and Innovation
At the political level, the OECD Council adopted a recommendation on social economy on 10 June 2022:
OECD Recommendation on Social and Solidarity Economy and Social Innovation
In 2023, the OECD published country fact sheets to map social and solidarity economy entities around the world. The fact sheets can be found here or in each country pages.
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
ILO work on social and solidarity economy
On the 22nd of June 2022, the International Labour Conference adopted its resolution on social economy:
ILC Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy (in English)
To access the resolution in different languages, click here.
As a follow-up to the resolution, the ILO proposed a strategy and an action plan on decent work and the social and solidarity economy to give effect to the conclusions adopted by the Conference.
UN Inter-agency Taskforce on Social and Solidarity Economy
The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) was established in 2013 to raise the visibility of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in international knowledge and policy circles.
The Task Force brings together UN agencies and other inter-governmental organisations, as well as umbrella associations of SSE networks as members and observers. The Task Force's activities include organising events at UN and other international conferences, meetings with policy makers, preparing and disseminating publications, and engaging in collaborative projects involving UNTFSSE members and observers.
UN Inter-agency Taskforce on Social and Solidarity Economy
UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy Knowledge hub
United Nations
During its 66th plenary meeting on April 18, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted the resolution titled "Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development" (A/77/L.60). This resolution holds significant importance as it not only establishes an official definition for the Social and Solidarity Economy but also recognises its potential in contributing to the attainment and localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UN resolution “Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development”