Guidelines for Local Governments on Policies for Social and Solidarity Economy

With growing awareness about the role of social and solidarity economy in facilitating inclusive and sustainable development, comes an increasing number of governments, both at national and subnational levels, adopting policies and programmes that aim to support SSE organizations and enterprises. To successfully promote SSE and realize its potential in the context of sustainable local development, policy makers and practitioners need answers to a number of questions. What makes particular policies and programmes effective for SSE? Will these be feasible and adaptable within their various legal, political and socioeconomic contexts?

These Guidelines for Local Governments provide responses, explaining the key elements constituting an enabling policy and institutional environment, or “ecosystem”, for SSE. They offer a toolbox that can be used in the development of policies and institutions for SSE at the subnational level.

Readers — from government officials and SSE practitioners to other local stakeholders — will find guidance on the topics and public policy considerations that are essential for fostering and enabling a viable and vibrant SSE ecosystem at the subnational level: Co-construction of Public Policy; Legal Frameworks; Mainstreaming SSE in Development Plans; Supporting Organizations; Capacity Building; Access to Finance; Access to Markets; Awareness Raising and Advocacy; and Research and Data Collection on SSE.

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