Last April 2023, thanks to the incentive of the Spanish Government, the UN General Assembly passed its first Resolution on the Social Economy: "Promoting the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development". It encourages the promotion of this economic model, as an inclusive model with social objectives, based on internal solidarity and with people at the centre.
Spain's proposal to launch this Resolution was supported at the United Nations by the governments of Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, France, Equatorial Guinea, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Senegal and Slovenia.
The Vice-President of the Spanish Government and Minister for Labour and Social Economy, pointed out in her speech to the UN the importance of this new model, offering Spain as an example, where the social economy represents 10% of the GDP, indicating that it is a firmly part of the business fabric capable of adapting to changes and promoting the participation of workers in business decision-making.
This resolution, adopted by the UN, includes a definition of the social and solidarity economy (hereinafter SSE), which is understood as a set of "enterprises, organisations and other entities engaged in economic, social and environmental activities of collective or general interest, based on the principles of voluntary cooperation and mutual assistance, democratic or participatory governance, autonomy and independence, and the primacy of people and social purpose over capital in the distribution and use of surpluses or profits". It recognises cooperatives as part of the SSE along with associations, mutuals, foundations, social enterprises and "other entities operating according to its values and principles” of the SSE.
In January 2024, the governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Guatemala and Mexico, in a meeting in Mexico City, constituted the Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy (RIFESS), and countries such as Costa Rica, Cuba, Paraguay, Portugal, Honduras and the Dominican Republic joined at a later date.
The Network seeks to bring together the largest possible number of Ibero-American countries committed to promoting the social economy in order to exchange, through seminars and meetings, experiences and public policies and to jointly promote the development of the goals set out in the UN General Assembly Resolution of 2023 in the Ibero-American space and the full integration of this entire productive ecosystem in regional trade
In the field of the social economy, the actions carried out over the years by the governments of Spain and France to improve cooperation are noteworthy.
In 2019, a Cooperation Agreement on the Social and Solidarity Economy was signed, which expanded and updated the Joint Declaration signed by these governments in 2013. This agreement aims to increase the contribution of the Social Economy to youth employment, gender equality, social integration, territorial development and social innovation.
Given the proximity of these States in terms of cooperation, a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation was signed between Spain and France in 2023, which reinforces and strengthens cooperation between the two countries in different areas, particularly in the social sphere.
Article 29 of the Treaty is devoted exclusively to addressing the social economy and states that both countries undertake to exchange information and experience in this area, as well as to set up a working group, on an annual basis, between the competent ministries, which may be open to the social partners.
Finally, the Resolution of 17 May 2023 of the Secretary of State for Work and Social Economy, which publishes the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of 11 April 2023, approving the Spanish Social Economy Strategy 2023-2027, includes, among other actions to be developed, the incorporation of the social economy as a hallmark of Spain's action before the European Institutions, and the need to continue developing bilateral agreements on the social economy with Portugal and France.
The German and Spanish governments give priority to the social economy in their bilateral relations. The result of this is the Action Plan that develops the agreements reached at the 25th Spanish-German Summit in 2022.
Both countries have committed to work together to promote the social economy through innovation, trade, industry, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic development, as well as the implementation of the European Social Economy Action Plan.
This plan is designed to strengthen the social economy to facilitate a green and digital transition, as well as to drive the transformation of the economic model into a more sustainable and cutting-edge one.
Spain and Colombia represent a strategic and solid bilateral relationship in various fields, especially in the social economy. Therefore, in 2022, a joint declaration was signed between the two governments, which is based on the principles of the social economy.
This Declaration emphasises the importance of dialogue and citizen participation, as well as the need to address the challenges posed by climate change by working towards a more sustainable economic model that preserves biodiversity and strategic ecosystems. At the same time, it points out the importance of working to strengthen public policies on gender equality and women's empowerment. It also underlines the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries for sustainable development to accelerate and strengthen economic growth and rural development.
Alongside this declaration, there is also the first Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen social and socio-employment links signed by the two countries. This Memorandum aims to promote sustainable economic development, make employment more stable, reduce temporary employment, promote gender equality and foster collective bargaining and social dialogue.
Finally, this agreement aims to prioritise the interests of working people and to improve the economic fabric of both countries by moving towards a fairer labour market.
The Government of Spain and Senegal signed a Declaration of Intent in June 2023 with the aim of promoting the social economy at the international level. This document reflects the willingness of both countries to cooperate in the development of this business model.
Following the signing of this Declaration, the Second Vice-President of the Spanish Government and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, and the Senegalese Minister of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy, Victorine Anquediche Ndeye, participated in the presentation of "The roadmap for effective equality between women and men in the Social Economy", promoted by the Working Group of Women Leaders in the Social Economy (Mujeres LíderES) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, in collaboration with CEPES.
In March 2024, the Vice-President of the Spanish Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bulgaria on the Social Economy, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and fostering the growth of this economic model in both countries.
Through this agreement, Spain and Bulgaria commit to jointly promote the development of the Social Economy Action Plan of the European Union and to support the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions.
This agreement evidences the strong commitment of both countries to promote more inclusive and sustainable business models, thus contributing to economic and social development at bilateral, European and international level.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy of the Kingdom of Spain and the Ministry of Labour of the State of Palestine is an agreement entered into on 21 November 2024, during the first High Level Meeting between the two countries held in Madrid.
This Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, Yolanda Díaz, and her Palestinian counterpart, Enas Attari, aims to deepen technical collaboration in social, labour and social economy related issues.
This agreement promotes cooperation between the two ministries in areas such as equal pay, labour statistics, self-employment, cooperatives, social dialogue, vocational training and public employment services.
Section 2 of this Memorandum of Understanding specifically addresses the exchange of information and best practices on strategies and programmes for the promotion of the Social Economy, as well as key aspects such as financing, statistics and legal frameworks. In this way, this agreement reaffirms the commitment of Spain and Palestine to the promotion of more inclusive and sustainable business models, favouring the economic and social development of both countries.
On 8 September 2021, in the framework of the Iberian Social Economy Summit held in Coimbra, the governments of Spain and Portugal signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Social Economy.
This agreement aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two countries in the field of social economy, and, for these purposes, establishes several lines of action
This memorandum reflects the commitment of both countries to promote more inclusive and sustainable business models, contributing to the economic and social development of Spain and Portugal.
In a later date, in the framework of the Iberian Summit held in Lanzarote on 15 March 2023, both countries signed a specific Memorandum of Understanding on training in the field of the social economy.
In November 2022, the governments of Mexico and Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding on labour issues, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and promoting a shared agenda in this area.
This agreement focuses on overlapping policies such as increasing the minimum wage, improving working conditions and providing social protection for vulnerable groups. It also seeks to strengthen labour inspection, promote social dialogue, guarantee freedom of association and encourage genuine collective bargaining, as well as to promote employment training for young people.
In the field of the Social and Solidarity Economy, the following priorities are established:
This agreement reinforces Mexico and Spain's commitment to an economy characterized by fairness, inclusion and solidarity.
In April 2023, the Ministries of Labour of Spain and Brazil entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of strengthening cooperation in social and labour related issues and consolidating a common agenda on labour rights, social justice and dialogue between employers and employees.
This agreement, signed by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, Yolanda Díaz, and the Minister of Labour and Employment of Brazil, Luiz Marinho, seeks to make labour policies the focus of economic and social development of both countries, guaranteeing greater equity and better conditions for workers.
The Memorandum of Understanding executed by Spain and Brazil on social and labour issues reinforces economic democracy and fair distribution of benefits, promoting better working conditions, wages and working hours, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In addition, it promotes unionisation and worker participation, supporting reforms in trade unions to ensure membership for all, with special attention to gender perspective and the inclusion of young employees in trade union life. It also seeks the integration of labour, social and security policies into a single social protection system that guarantees better working conditions. On digitalisation of employment, the agreement foresees the development of regulations to govern the platform economy and digital work, as well as remote work, guaranteeing that labour rights are respected in these new environments.
Finally, cooperation mechanisms are established through the creation of working groups, comparative studies on the impact of labour policies and the exchange of experiences and best practices in the social economy.
Although the document is aimed at cooperation between Spain and Brazil on labour and social issues, the points mentioned have a direct impact on the social economy, as they seek to promote fair working conditions, equitable distribution of benefits and protection of workers in emerging sectors.
Within the framework of the International Labour Congress held in Madrid in November 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Social Economy was executed, with the aim of strengthening dialogue, sharing best practices and developing joint strategies to strengthen the social economy sector in both countries.
The agreement was signed by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, Yolanda Díaz Pérez, and the Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity of Romania, Simona Bucura-Oprescu. With this memorandum, both nations reaffirm their commitment to a more inclusive, sustainable and solidarity-based economic model within the European Union.
The Memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation to strengthen social economy through access to financing, EU recognition, social impact measurement and support for training in the context of the green and digital transition. It also fosters dialogue between sectors and facilitates access to markets and collaborative networks.
To achieve these goals, actions such as the exchange of best practices, participation in events, professional training and the creation of working groups specialised in projects and policy frameworks will be implemented.
