From 10 to 11 December 2025, more than 30 participants representing over 20 countries gathered at the ILO's International Training Centre in Turin for a technical knowledge‑sharing event focusing on advancing social justice through the social and solidarity economy (SSE).
Taking place at the end of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, the event provided a timely opportunity to reflect on the first three years of implementation of the ILO's strategy and action plan on decent work and the SSE (2023-2029). Adopted by the ILO Governing Body in follow-up to the 2022 ILO Resolution on decent work and the SSE, the Strategy provides a shared framework for advancing social justice through the SSE across the ILO's work.
The event provided a dynamic platform for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to share experiences, review evidence, and explore pathways to strengthen SSE contributions to decent work, social inclusion, and sustainable development. It highlighted the close collaboration between ILO constituents and SSE partners, fostering cross‑regional exchange of ideas.
Participants included representatives from governments, workers' and employers' organizations, SSE networks, and academia-partners with whom the ILO has long collaborated. They came from across the globe: Africa (African Union, Mauritania, Senegal, Tunisia), Asia and the Pacific (Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam), the Arab States (Jordan, State of Palestine), Europe (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Türkiye), and the Americas (Costa Rica, Ecuador through RIFESS, Trinidad and Tobago).
From frameworks to delivery on the ground
Participants highlighted how cooperatives and other SSE entities contribute to decent work and social justice and discussed how stronger policy and institutional environments can help strengthen these contributions. They examined measures adopted in different regions, in close cooperation with the ILO, to strengthen conducive environments for SSE entities, from education and training systems to legal and regulatory frameworks and the development of national and regional SSE strategies.
Regional perspectives included insights from on-going work in Africa through the African Union including under its Ten-Year Strategy and Implementation Plan for the SSE (2023-2032) adopted with the ILO's technical support, and in the Americas through the Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of the SSE (RIFESS). Discussions highlighted partnership models emerging countries where the ILO partners with its constituents and SSE entities in delivering on decent work outcomes. They underlined ways such partnerships can help accelerate the translation of policy commitments into concrete programmes and support the expansion of SSE initiatives across sectors and territories.
Building on these examples, the event reviewed tangible results achieved with ILO constituents and partners highlighting progress across 24 country programs and 25 development cooperation projects worldwide. It was noted that 26 active ILO Decent Work Country Programmes now feature the SSE and its entities among their strategic priorities, outputs, and partners. Participants noted lessons learned and emphasized how stronger coordination, partnerships, and financing can enhance impact at national and local levels.
The exchanges underscored the role of SSE entities and networks as key partners in advancing decent work across the care economy, the informal economy, supply chains, and in crisis and post‑crisis contexts- notably where public services and labour market institutions struggle to meet demand. Cross‑cutting themes included just digital and environmental transitions, as well as promoting gender equality, economic inclusion, and competitiveness through the SSE.
Learning from Turin's SSE experiences
Study visits to cooperatives, social enterprises and other local SSE entities gave participants a closer look at how SSE models create jobs, foster inclusion, stimulate social innovation and contribute to local development. Exchanges with local actors were enriched by Turin's role as the European Capital of Innovation for 2024-25 and demonstrated how coordinated public policies and partnerships can reinforce SSE development.
Catalysing collective action and lasting progress
The exchanges during the event led to several follow‑up actions, including contributions to the forthcoming United Nations Secretary‑General's report on promoting the SSE for sustainable development. Participants also advanced efforts to position Turin as a hub for SSE capacity‑building and convening, with initiatives highlighting the role of local governments.
Participants emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration among SSE partners, including renewed coalition‑building and communities of practice, and urged deeper engagement with regional development banks to advance SSE strategies and action plans across countries and regions. The discussions were enriched by contributions from partners such as Mondragon/ASETT and the International Cooperative Alliance, who shared valuable experiences and insights on enhancing collaboration and peer learning within international SSE networks.
By linking experiences and grounding learning in practice, the event marked a key step in strengthening collective efforts to position the SSE as a vital driver of decent work and social justice.
