More than 30 participants from over 20 countries convened at the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, on December 10-11, 2025. This technical knowledge-sharing event focused on enhancing social justice through the social and solidarity economy (SSE). Coinciding with the conclusion of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the gathering served as a vital opportunity to assess the first three years of the ILO’s strategy and action plan on decent work and SSE, which spans from 2023 to 2029.
The ILO’s Governing Body had previously adopted this strategy in response to the 2022 ILO Resolution on decent work and the SSE. It aims to establish a unified framework for advancing social justice across the ILO’s various initiatives. The event brought together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to share insights, review evidence, and identify pathways to enhance the contributions of SSE to decent work, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
Collaboration across Regions
Participants included representatives from governments, labor organizations, SSE networks, and academic institutions, all of whom have a longstanding partnership with the ILO. The attendees hailed from a diverse range of regions including Africa (African Union, Mauritania, Senegal, Tunisia), Asia and the Pacific (Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam), Arab States (Jordan, State of Palestine), Europe (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Türkiye), and the Americas (Costa Rica, Ecuador through RIFESS, Trinidad and Tobago).
During discussions, participants highlighted how cooperatives and other SSE entities play a crucial role in fostering decent work and social justice. They explored how improved policy and institutional frameworks can bolster these contributions. Various measures adopted in different regions were reviewed, particularly efforts to develop conducive environments for SSE entities. This includes enhancements in education and training systems, as well as legal and regulatory frameworks, along with national and regional SSE strategies.
Insights emerged from ongoing projects in Africa under the African Union’s Ten-Year Strategy and Implementation Plan for the SSE (2023-2032), which received technical support from the ILO. The Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of the SSE (RIFESS) provided a lens into similar initiatives in the Americas.
Impact and Future Actions
The discussions also underscored emerging partnership models where the ILO collaborates with its constituents and SSE entities to achieve decent work outcomes. Participants noted that such collaborations could expedite the realization of policy commitments into practical programs, facilitating the expansion of SSE initiatives across various sectors and regions.
The event showcased tangible results achieved through the ILO’s efforts, with progress noted across 24 country programs and 25 development cooperation projects worldwide. Currently, 26 active ILO Decent Work Country Programmes prioritize SSE and its entities among their strategic objectives and partners.
Participants shared lessons learned, emphasizing that enhanced coordination, partnerships, and financing can significantly improve impact at national and local levels. The discussions also highlighted the role of SSE entities and networks as essential partners in promoting decent work, especially within the care economy, informal sectors, and during crisis situations where public services and labor institutions struggle to meet demand.
Cross-cutting themes included just digital and environmental transitions, alongside efforts to promote gender equality, economic inclusion, and competitiveness through SSE.
Study visits to local cooperatives and social enterprises in Turin provided participants with insights into how SSE models can create jobs, encourage inclusion, stimulate social innovation, and contribute to local development. These exchanges were enriched by Turin’s designation as the European Capital of Innovation for 2024-25, demonstrating how coordinated public policies and partnerships can effectively support SSE growth.
The event concluded with several follow-up actions, including contributions to the upcoming United Nations Secretary-General’s report on promoting SSE for sustainable development. Participants also discussed initiatives to position Turin as a hub for SSE capacity-building, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among SSE partners. This includes renewed coalition-building, communities of practice, and deeper engagement with regional development banks to further SSE strategies and action plans on a global scale.
The exchanges were further enhanced by insights from partners such as Mondragon/ASETT and the International Cooperative Alliance, who shared valuable experiences on fostering collaboration and peer learning within international SSE networks. By connecting experiences and grounding learning in practical applications, the event marked a significant step in solidifying collective efforts to position the SSE as a vital force in driving decent work and social justice.
