At the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026, leaders acknowledged a growing concern: inequality, social breakdown and the accelerating pace of technological transformation. They particularly expressed concern about the distribution of wealth and the future of the global economy.
Against this backdrop, another model is gaining ground: the social and solidarity economy (SSE). Once considered marginal, the SSE now appears to be a credible response to social and ecological challenges.
What is the Social and Solidarity Economy?
The social and solidarity economy (SSE) is a business model that seeks to reconcile economic activity with social utility. It brings together associations, cooperatives, mutual societies, foundations, and socially responsible companies that prioritise people and the collective interest over profit.
The SSE is active in many areas, including health, food, housing, mobility, inclusion, and ecological transition. Whether it’s a cooperative supporting sustainable agriculture, a company fighting food waste, or an association supporting excluded people, they all follow the same logic: producing value while meeting social and environmental needs.
This model is based on four key principles: solidarity, democratic governance, cooperation and local roots. The economy is not an end in itself, but rather a means to promote the common good.
A Long History
The social and solidarity economy is not a recent phenomenon. It is part of more than two centuries of collective initiatives created to address the needs overlooked by the mainstream economy.
In the 19th century, in response to the insecurity brought about by industrialisation, workers organised themselves by setting up mutual aid funds for healthcare, production cooperatives to regain ownership of their work, and credit organisations to gain access to financing. These experiences laid the foundations for a different conception of the economy, one that was more humane and based on solidarity.
Today, this vision is recognized internationally. On 18 April 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a historic resolution affirming the key role of the social and solidarity economy in sustainable development and encouraging states to create policies and legal frameworks that facilitate its implementation..
Countries Inventing New Economic Models
* In Brazil, a solidarity economy law was passed in 2024 under President Lula to support inclusive job creation and territorial development.
* In South Korea, the failure of a coup attempt revived a draft framework law on the SSE, making the country the first in Asia to have an official legislative framework. Social enterprises are already recognised there and create jobs for people who are distant from the labour market.
* In Quebec the SSE action plan was renewed in 2025 to support the creation of jobs and socially useful services.
* In April 2025, the government of Côte d’Ivoire adopted a bill on the social and solidarity economy, setting out the general framework for economic development policy.
* In Togo, we saw the creation of a ministry dedicated to grassroots development and the SSE.
At the end of January, Africa also hosted FORA’ESS in Brazzaville, bringing together all the key SSE stakeholders from across the continent and the rest of the world to share a vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
These policies show that the SSE is no longer simply a remedial tool but a transformative economic model.
A Possible and Necessary Coexistence
“The social and solidarity economy is living proof that wealth can be produced and redistributed differently, by placing solidarity and cooperation at the heart of economic activity.”
Jean-Louis Laville, French sociologist specializing in the SSE
The social and solidarity economy does not replace the market economy; rather, it complements, balances and guides it. It demonstrates that it is possible to conduct business in a different way, produce wealth without compromising the public interest and place people at the heart of decision-making processes.
In a world facing climate, social, and technological crises, the prospect of a pluralistic economy that is capable of innovation, cooperation and restoration of meaning is encouraging. These solutions already exist. They are being developed in local communities, cooperatives, associations and socially responsible companies. Every day, they demonstrate that an alternative economic model is not a utopia, but a growing movement.
