From 3 to 5 December 2025, RIPESS actively participated in the 5th Technical Symposium of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE), held in Murcia, Spain’s Social Economy Capital 2025. The event gathered UN agencies, governments, international networks and SSE actors to advance the consolidation of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) within multilateral frameworks.

RIPESS Executive Secretary Sandra Moreno played a key role as moderator of the session on emerging priorities and as speaker in the thematic session on gender equality and non-discrimination, bringing a perspective rooted in feminist, rights-based and territorial economies.

Strategic debates to strengthen SSE in uncertain times

Throughout the symposium, participants explored how SSE can respond to today’s multiple social, ecological, economic and democratic crises. Discussions focused on four main areas:

1. Mainstreaming SSE within the UN and multilateral system

While global recognition of SSE is growing, uptake remains uneven. Participants highlighted the need for:

  • stronger regional coordination,
  • deeper engagement with international financial institutions,
  • improved data and statistics,
  • and communication that reaches beyond SSE-specific audiences.

2. Progress on the UNTFSSE Action Plan (2024–2026)

Advances were shared on statistics, financial access and implementation of UN resolutions. Key needs identified include:

  • enhanced resources and monitoring mechanisms,
  • stronger research coordination,
  • and deeper multi-level participation.

3. Institutional pathways for the Task Force

Institutions reported progress on implementing the UNGA resolution on SSE: regulatory reforms, South–South cooperation, improved governance and financing, and partnerships with SSE organizations—especially women, youth and rural communities.

4. Emerging priorities for the 2026 UN Secretary-General Report

Identified themes include:

  • SDG localization,
  • crisis response,
  • climate and environmental action,
  • peacebuilding,
  • youth engagement,
  • and measurable social progress—supported by coherent narratives, evidence and coordinated action.

Thematic sessions: social innovation, equality, capacities and knowledge

SSE & Social Innovation for the Triple Transition

SSE’s role in driving social innovation across ecological, digital and demographic transitions was emphasized, along with the need for enabling ecosystems and supportive regulatory and financial frameworks.

Gender Equality & Non-Discrimination

Discussions highlighted SSE’s potential for gender-responsive governance, community-led innovation and inclusive care systems. Priorities include aligning care policies with SSE strategies, and supporting women and vulnerable groups through intersectional approaches.

Capacity Development

Diverse regional needs were identified: awareness-raising, cross-sector partnerships, digitalization, green transition and rural development. Peer learning and South–South cooperation were strongly valued.

Research, Statistics & Knowledge Sharing

Participants stressed the importance of coordinated research, harmonized statistical approaches, better knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and a global evidence architecture for SSE.

RIPESS contributions: feminist, rights-based and territorial SSE

In her interventions, Sandra Moreno emphasized that:

“Emerging priorities for SSE call us to rethink our economies around rights, care, territories and the commons—moving SSE from the margins to the center of global policymaking.”

She highlighted that SSE, grounded in feminist and human-rights-based economies and in territories that defend food sovereignty and manage the commons, is shaping solutions for decent work, climate justice and democratic governance.

Regarding the upcoming UN Secretary-General’s 2026 Report, she noted:

“It is a strategic opportunity to make SSE visible as a key pathway for SDG localization, just transitions and rights-based development—backed by strong evidence, inspiring examples and bold financing mechanisms.”

On feminist SSE, she stressed:

“Feminist SSE recognizes intersecting inequalities and transforms not only who participates, but how wealth is decided, produced, cared for and distributed across the socio-economic system.”

RIPESS reaffirms its global commitment

Participation in the 5th UNTFSSE Technical Symposium strengthened alliances, contributed to strategic debates, and positioned feminist, rights-based and territorial SSE as a central pillar for social transformation.

RIPESS will continue working within the UNTFSSE and with its members worldwide to ensure that SSE is recognized and supported as a structural pathway toward just, resilient and democratic economies.