Who we are
RIPESS Europe – Solidarity Economy Europe, was born from the synergy produced by the meetings of the Globalisation of Solidarity organised by the intercontinental network RIPESS Intercontinental, the first of which took place in Lima in 1997. The 4th International Forum of “Globalisation of Solidarity”, Lux’09, which took place in Schifflange in April 2009, led to the launching of a dynamic by establishing trust and shared-knowledge between networks of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) at continental and intercontinental levels. During this meeting, Eric Lavillunière (INEES) and Christine Gent (WFTO) initiated the structuring of a European RIPESS platform.
In Barcelona, in 2011, RIPESS Europe was born. It included representatives of networks from Belgium, Catalonia, France, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Germany.
News from Europe—
RIPESS Intercontinental Publishes its 2025 Activity Report
RIPESS Intercontinental is pleased to share its 2025 Activity Report, highlighting a year marked by significant advocacy achievements, stronger global alliances, and the continued expansion of the Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) movement worldwide. The report reflects the collective efforts of our members, partners, and allies across all continents to advance economic models that place people, communities, and the planet at [...]
Celebrating the approval of the Comprehensive Law to Promote the Social Economy in Spain
On 26 March 2026,, the Spanish Congress of Deputies has approved the Comprehensive Law to Promote the Social Economy, a long-awaited milestone built through broad consensus across the sector. RIPESS welcomes this new legal framework, which modernizes existing legislation, recognizes the diversity of the ecosystem, and strengthens an economic model that puts people before profit. A historic step for a [...]
Support the European Citizens’ Initiative for the Right to Food: Access to adequate, safe, sustainable and nutritious food is a fundamental human right
The access to adequate, safe, sustainable and nutritious food is a fundamental human right. However, this right is still not guaranteed in the European Union. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) for the Right to Food, promoted by the European movement GOOD FOOD FOR ALL, seeks to change this reality and place this right at the centre of European public policies. [...]



