Los modelos organizativos de traperos de emaús en el estado y su respuesta a la crisis

A pesar de su inspiración común en el movimiento impulsado por el Abbé Pierre en Francia en 1949, en la actualidad existen importantes diferencias entre los grupos de Traperos de Emaús. Este artículo pretende clasificar los diversos grupos presentes en el Estado español y analizar si sus características particulares les han llevado a plantear diferentes estrategias frente a la crisis. Para ello primero proponemos una tipología basada en el análisis de cinco variables (forma jurídica, existencia de vida en comunidad, liderazgo y participación, crecimiento, orientación de la acción) que ayuden a dibujar el modelo organizativo de los diversos grupos de Emaús en el Estado; lo que nos lleva a clasificarlos en cuatro categorías (Comunitaria, Fundación, Empresa Social, Mixta). En general, las diferencias entre estos modelos son previas a la crisis económica, pero hemos observado que también hay diferencias en las respuestas a la misma. Aunque todavía es pronto para poder establecer una tipología de respuestas a la crisis, sí podemos subrayar tentativamente algunas claves que parecen contrastar las diferencias entre los modelos propuestos. Creemos que es importante comprender estos diferentes modelos y sus estrategias de respuesta, ya que todas ellas están presentes en otras entidades o empresas sociales vinculadas a la Economía Social y al Tercer Sector, y por tanto, ayudan a comprender cuáles pueden ser las claves de futuro de este tipo de Economía Alternativa

Convergences between the Social and Solidarity Economy and Sustainable Development Goals: Case Study in the Basque Country

This article analyzes the potential of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) to foster the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Local public policies play an important role in supporting both the SSE and SDGs. We select a case study of four SSE projects of a local development agency in the Basque Country, where the SSE has a considerable presence through diverse forms and experiences. We address how these projects, which are implemented in a coordinated and transversal manner, contribute to many specific targets within SDG goals number 8 (growth and decent work), 12 (sustainable consumption and production patterns), and 5 (gender equity). However, some limitations have also been identified: (i) trade-offs, in both SSE and SDGs, between economic growth and other aims centered on environmental sustainability; and (ii) avoidance of handling issues, which limits a systemic transformation.This research was funded by [Basque Government] grant number [IT1037-16] And The APC was funded by Research Group on Human Security, Local Human Development and International Cooperation of Hegoa and UPV/EHU

Social and Solidarity Economy in Ecuador: Fostering an Alternative Development Model?

The social and solidarity economy (SSE) has gained worldwide attention over the last decade. It represents a host of diverse economic activities which take different forms in each country, but which share solidarity values that are alternatives to mainstream market economic logics. In Ecuador, the SSE acquired legal status in the 2008 Constitution that aimed to foster an alternative development model based on the Buen Vivir (BV) paradigm. However, despite a broad new regulatory framework for the SSE, the implementation of specific policies faces significant challenges. This article, based on fieldwork and interviews with many stakeholders, critically analyzes the transformative scope of the policies of the main newly created institution (IEPS—Instituto de Economía Popular y Solidaria). We discuss policy challenges focusing on trade-offs for small rural producers due to their dependent market integration and overall flaws in fulfilling SSE solidarity values.This research was funded by Basque Government, grant number IT-1307 and the APC was funded by authors

Twenty-five years of social multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) in the search for sustainability: Analysis of case studies

Social multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) is a decision-making tool used in complex and uncertain social-ecological contexts such as those related to the management of natural resources and sustainability. It has been widely used since it was devised twenty-five years ago, but no comprehensive reviews exist for case studies specifically considering sustainability. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: first, to review the principles of SMCE according to sustainability; and second, to contrast the integration of sustainability within the SMCE framework by means of an analysis of case studies. Relying on an exhaustive bibliographical review, the analysis undertaken has covered the empirical evidence gap in the SMCE field by providing a systematic inventory of 41 case studies and analysing them regarding their general features, how they fulfil the SMCE process steps, and the characteristics of the results in each case. Furthermore, our general findings on the SMCE method relate to: (i) the feasibility of the operationalization of the strong sustainability principle; (ii) the incorporation of the social actors’ views through participatory processes in the search for sustainability; (iii) the difficulty of reaching “compromise solutions” and the scarce real policy implementation of the outcomes in analysed cases.This work was supported by the ‘Ekopol: Iraunkortasunerako Bideak’ Research Group, recognized by the Basque Government (IT-1365-19), by the Research Group on Human Security, Local Human Development and International Cooperation, also recognized by the Basque Government (IT-1307-16), and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project AGL2013–48361-C2–1-R)

Complementariedades entre economía social y solidaria y economía circular: estudios de caso en el país vasco y Suiza occidental

Although with different origins and initial concerns, the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and the Circular Economy (CE) can complement each other to transform the current development model. CE could help to address biophysical goals of ecological sustainability and the reduction and closure of material cycles; the SSE would serve to prioritize people’s needs and social equity. However, we have to bear in mind that while the SSE in its practical experiences has already tended to be concerned with ecological sustainability, the CE has not done the same with redistributive or social equity issues. In the last decade, CE is receiving increasing attention and is spreading rapidly supposedly as a solution for sustainable development. However, the majority of its current practices lack a comprehensive and transformative approach, and instead, they focus mainly on technological efficiency and competitiveness without giving the deserved attention to sufficiency and cooperation issues. Therefore, in this text we analyze how the CE should be enriched by the postulates of the SSE if we are to seek an equitable and sustainable transition. We studied the case of REAS-Euskadi in the Basque Country, and the Chambers of ESS APRES-GE and APRES-VD in Western Switzerland on topics such as: the expanded understanding of the 9Rs approach; the characteristics of the new circular business models, the principles of the SSE, such as cooperation and not-for-profit, among others

La economía social y solidaria como vía para el buen vivir

The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) encompasses a wide range of economic endeavors and logics with the potential to deploy alternative «economies» —in varying degrees— to the capitalist system. The ESS is an indispensable reference to move from conventional development models to the paradigm of buen vivir. In this article, it is showed which are the principles of the SSE and to what extent they converge with the dimensions and Good Living Objectives and with the strategies to achieve it. We emphasize the need to implement strategies oriented to the regulation, redistribution, resizing and decommodification of the economic sphere. These four orientations should be driven by public policies, but, at the same time, the SSE organizations themselves are already implementing them from practice thanks to their principles and values. We propose ways of promoting SSE such as responsible public procurement, social markets and local economic circuits, recovery of sovereignty (food, energy, ethical finance and social currencies), reconceptualization of work and well-being for the sustainability of life.La economía social y solidaria (ESS) engloba una amplia gama de emprendimientos y lógicas económicas con el potencial de desplegar «otras economías» alternativas —en dispares grados— al sistema capitalista. La ESS constituye un referente indispensable para transitar desde los modelos de desarrollo convencionales hacia el paradigma del buen vivir. Este artículo muestra cuáles son los principios de la ESS y en qué medida convergen con las dimensiones y Objetivos del Buen Vivir y con las estrategias para alcanzarlo. Subrayamos la necesidad de implementar estrategias orientadas a la regulación, redistribución, redimensionamiento y desmercantilización de la esfera económica. Estas cuatro orientaciones deben impulsarse desde las políticas públicas, pero, al mismo tiempo, las propias organizaciones de ESS ya las vienen implementando desde la práctica gracias a sus principios y valores. Proponemos vías de fomento de la ESS tales como compra pública responsable, mercados sociales y circuitos económicos locales, recuperación de soberanías (alimentaria, energética, finanzas éticas y monedas sociales), reconceptualización del trabajo y el bienestar para la sostenibilidad de la vida

Family farmers' strategies to develop autonomy through agroecological and solidarity economy practices: The case of BioVida in the Ecuadorian Andes

Considering the global restructuring affecting agrarian landscapes, we build on the concept of autonomy proposed by van der Ploeg and colleagues (but extended and critically complemented) to analyse how family farmers can build this autonomy to face rural capitalist tendencies and maintain their activities and identity. We offer insights from a case study in the Ecuadorian Andes, the BioVida organization that is linked to agroecological and social and solidarity economy movements. Our findings show that family farming autonomy is not being achieved homogeneously for the whole household but must be analysed through an intersectional approach. Furthermore, there are simultaneous processes to achieve different degrees of autonomy and (inter-)dependency, which are co-constitutive along gender and age lines and are conditioned by structural constraints. Therefore, for our case study area, agribusiness and family farming processes and spaces seem to operate co-constitutively rather than antagonistically in practical terms. Agroecology-based achievements so far act as a localized buffer against adversity rather than an emancipative territorial project of autonomy

The social and solidarity economy as a way to buen vivir

La economía social y solidaria (ESS) engloba una amplia gama de emprendimientos y lógicas económicas con el potencial de desplegar «otras economías» alternativas —en dispares grados— al sistema capitalista. La ESS constituye un referente indispensable para transitar desde los modelos de desarrollo convencionales hacia el paradigma del buen vivir. Este artículo muestra cuáles son los principios de la ESS y en qué medida convergen con las dimensiones y Objetivos del Buen Vivir y con las estrategias para alcanzarlo. Subrayamos la necesidad de implementar estrategias orientadas a la regulación, redistribución, redimensionamiento y desmercantilización de la esfera económica. Estas cuatro orientaciones deben impulsarse desde las políticas públicas, pero, al mismo tiempo, las propias organizaciones de ESS ya las vienen implementando desde la práctica gracias a sus principios y valores. Proponemos vías de fomento de la ESS tales como compra pública responsable, mercados sociales y circuitos económicos locales, recuperación de soberanías (alimentaria, energética, finanzas éticas y monedas sociales), reconceptualización del trabajo y el bienestar para la sostenibilidad de la vida