Article by RIPESS Europe

In response to the European Union’s plans to dramatically increase military spending through initiatives like “ReArm Europe”, RIPESS Europe has joined the collective cally “Stop ReArm Europe” to strongly oppose this dangerous shift and its potential disastrous consequences. Public funding and taxpayers money should go towards building long lasting peace, not war.

We recognize that many people across Europe are experiencing genuine fear and uncertainty, especially in countries closer to conflict zones, such as those in Eastern and Central Europe, amid growing geopolitical tensions and the threat of war. These fears are real and deserve to be acknowledged, not dismissed. But while governments justify massive military spending as a response to these fears, we believe that true and lasting security cannot be built through armament. Real safety comes from strengthening the social fabric of our societies—through investment in public services, local economies, climate resilience, and social justice. Peace and stability are sustained not by preparing for war, but by fostering trust, solidarity, and wellbeing in our communities. Rearmament offers the illusion of control; building strong, inclusive societies offers real security.

The Social Solidarity Economy movement promotes democratic, inclusive and cooperative models of economic and social organization rooted in peace, solidarity and care for people and the planet. In this context, the role of networks like RIPESS Europe is to resist policies that funnel public resources into military build-up, while calling for these resources to be directed toward social justice, ecological sustainability, and community well-being.

RIPESS Europe, representing a diverse array of cooperatives, associations and citizen-led initiatives and networks across the continent, exemplifies how SSE can mobilize collective action for the reallocation of public funds towards education, healthcare, climate action, and peacebuilding. SSE networks challenge the narrative that increased armament is the sole path to security. Their engagement in the Stop ReArm Europe campaign underscores the importance of standing firmly against the normalization of war and the prioritization of arms and force over life.

“We oppose the EU’s plans to spend an extra €800 billion on arms. This will be €800 billion stolen. Stolen from social services, health, education, labour, peace building, international cooperation, from a just transition and climate justice. It will only benefit arms manufacturers in Europe, in the USA and elsewhere.

It will make war more likely, and the future less safe for everyone! It will generate more debt, more austerity, more borders. It will deepen racism. It will fuel climate change.  We do not need more weapons; we do not need to prepare for more wars. What we need is a totally different plan: real, social, ecological and common security for Europe and for the world.”

For these reasons, we invite all to join the “Stop ReArm Europe” Week of Action, from June 21 to June 29, 2025.
More info on the campaign’s website