Ministry of Work promotes a roadmap to promote the Social Economy during the first Ibero-American meeting in Bolivia

Representatives of some Ibero-American countries during one of the debates

The first Ibero-American Meeting of Social and Solidarity Economy promoted by the Ministry of Work and Social Economy concludes today in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra with the adoption of a roadmap that will serve as a framework to strengthen this economic model that is characterised by being more equitable and sustainable.

"This meeting is much more than a discussion forum. It demonstrates the transformative power of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) to address challenges such as inequality or climate change, as well as improving working conditions," said the Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz.

Over the course of five days, up to 60 representatives of the social and solidarity economy from 19 Ibero-American countries debated, coordinated and analysed public policies and good practices that promote economic development based on collective well-being, economic democracy, sustainability, equality and social cohesion.

This meeting also served to consolidate the Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy (RIFESS) created with the support of the Ministry of Work and Social Economy in 2024 to promote growth in the region based on the different business formulas that make up this model, such as cooperatives, mutual societies, guilds, foundations and labour companies in the region.

Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala and Spain launched this network in 2024, which has been joined by Costa Rica, Uruguay, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic.

As a result of this First Meeting, the Roadmap for the Future of the Ibero-American Social and Solidarity Economy was born, which brings together "strategic commitments for action", explained Díaz.

During these five days, the different actors of the Social Economy belonging to governmental bodies, civil society and academia debated and analysed proposals, concrete actions, public policies and alliances to promote innovation and the impact of a more sustainable and egalitarian economic model.

Collaborative laboratories and working groups have also been set up to identify good practices and detect the most viable proposals.

The roadmap adopted today seeks not only to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework, but also to foster innovation and territorial development of the Social Economy ecosystem, facilitate access to financial instruments, promote social inclusion, equity and gender equality, as well as advance in knowledge generation and impact measurement.

"Now it is time to go back to our countries and translate this progress into real change. The Social and Solidarity Economy is not a discourse, it is a practice. And the time to consolidate it as a model of development and coexistence in Latin America is now," the vice-president assured.

Non official translation