Author: RIPESS Europe
On 1–2 November, RIPESS Europe will hold its Annual Assembly, a key moment to create a space for members to meet, exchange, and strengthen their collective identity. It will be an opportunity to welcome new members, to discuss a renewed strategy for the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) that preserves its fundamental transformative character, and to update the movement’s main principles.
Central to the agenda is the validation of a new participatory governance scheme designed to guarantee democratic decision-making and the active participation of all members.
At a time when overlapping crises — ecological, social, and geopolitical — are reshaping our world, the SSE emerges as a concrete alternative grounded in justice, sustainability, and cooperation. The articles featured this month in RIPESS Europe’s newsletter show a movement in motion, weaving together global initiatives, citizen mobilization, and grassroots transformation.
The GSEF 2025 in Bordeaux marks a key moment to reaffirm that economies must serve people, the planet and peace contrary to war economy Europe’s plan. Although GSEF as an organisation has traditionally focused on local authorities, policy-making, and institutional representatives, it remains an essential space where grassroots initiatives, cooperative enterprises, and networks can connect with global agendas to drive systemic change.
Linked to this, the Nyéléni process on food sovereignty highlights the power of collective learning and participation to reclaim food as a commons — a right, not a commodity. Food justice is also at the heart of the “Good Food for All” campaign, calling European citizens to demand that healthy, sustainable food becomes a political and social priority. These initiatives are not isolated: they are part of a shared struggle for democratic and equitable systems that value care, participation, and the commons.
The YOU(th) CARE project reminds us that young people are not only the future but essential protagonists of transformation today, bringing creativity and courage to reimagine the economy from a perspective of care, inclusion, and ecological responsibility.
Meanwhile, solidarity remains at the core of the movement, as expressed through RIPESS Europe’s support for the Global Sumud Flotilla and the call for justice and peace in Palestine, a clear reminder that economic justice cannot be separated from human rights and dignity. Together, these stories illustrate a living, interconnected ecosystem of hope, one that moves from local initiatives to international alliances, from words to concrete action. The task ahead is immense: transforming narratives, influencing policies, and scaling community power without losing the values that make the SSE unique. Yet, amid uncertainty, these collective efforts point to a shared conviction, that another economy is not only possible but already growing in our communities, built on solidarity, democracy, and care.
The challenge is to nurture it, connect it, and let it guide us toward a fairer and more humane future.
