The GSEF Regional Policy Dialogues are organized to promote the exchange of knowledge between policy-makers and key SSE actors. RIPESS has participated in both dialogues with the objective of contributing to the promotion of SSE and bringing the vision of local SSE projects to international fora.

RIPESS EU joined the 3rd edition of the European Policy Dialogue organised by Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF), our long term partners and collaborators.

This year, the Dialogue took place in Liverpool, United Kingdom, between the 18th and 19th of November 2019, around the theme ‘Building diversity and inclusion through the social solidarity economy’. A rich and open debate took place around this theme with a specific focus on 3 major topics:

• How local governments must proceed with new approaches to create true inclusion
• Moving beyond inclusion through innovative work-integration practices and policies
• Social and Solidarity Economy: a driving force in enabling diverse future leaders

As RIPESS EU, we presented our work based mostly on the third topic, but of course with connection to all important SSE areas. Regarding the location of this year GSEF event, it was organized in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) and the University of Liverpool. And they were quite amazing hosts.

The day after the conference they organized an SSE actors tour across the city. Liverpool City Region is indeed a dynamic and vibrant SSE scene where they employ over 40,000 people in SSE organizations. We visited  Kuumba Imani Millenium Centre , main local spot for community activism, Baltic Creative CIC ,a unique area for gathering start-up and creative industries with huge focus on ownership and sharing, and Homebaked Bakery and Community Land Trust, a place of inspiration, with the best pie in the world and an amazing struggle against gentrification and speculative capital assault on land and houses.

Written by Alfonso Cotera (RIPESS LAC) and Drazen Simlesa (RIPESS EU)

It is with great enthusiasm that Bilbao City Council announces that the registration for GSEF2018 is open. The Forum is meant to be a dynamic and participatory gathering, constructed in collaboration with local and International partners. It will be a unique opportunity to share visions and experiences through cross-border collaboration and cooperation. The Forum’s central theme is: Social Economy and Cities: Values and competitiveness for inclusive and sustainable local development.

We look forward to your participation, as this is your chance to contribute to this 4th edition of the Global Social Economy Forum, bringing together regional and local governments, Social Economy agents, civil society, universities and social organizations.

You can register here https://www.gsef2018.org/registration/

It is with great enthusiasm that the Bilbao City Council announces that the Call for Proposals for GSEF 2018 is now open! This is your chance to contribute to this 4th edition of the Global Social Economy Forum, bringing together regional and local governments, Social Economy agents, civil society, universities and social organizations.

The online site will guide you through the submission process of your social economy initiatives. Once evaluated, successful proposals will be presented at the GSEF2018which will be held in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, in 1-3 October 2018. Please be aware that the submission deadline is Wednesday February 28th (at midnight in Central Europe, UTC/GMT +01:00 (CET)).

Submit your initiatives here:  www.gsef2018.org

We look forward to receiving your initiatives and to seeing you at the GSEF2018 in Bilbao!

RIPESS Intercontinental and RIPESS Europe participate in the Global Social Economy Forum in Montreal, September 7-9 2016.

As per today, the GSEF has registered participants from over 50 countries and government representatives from nearly 250 international cities. It is therefore an excellent opportunity to learn about good practices from local governments and the SSE around the world and an outstanding opportunity to share your experiences globally!

As a member of the sponsorship committee of GSEF2016, we encourage you especially to participate, to form delegations, and come to discuss and work on the central theme of the Global Social Economy Forum -GSEF2016: collaboration between local governments and the social and solidarity economy actors for the development of cities;

and also, with more than 30 workshops and working groups and visits.

• Share your best practices and learn about others in the social and solidarity economy taking place around the planet in collaboration with local governments
• Identify opportunities and issues regarding coordinated action between your local governments and SSE stakeholders
• Promote coordinated international actions to foster the development of the SSE in your area.

>> More information on GSEF2016

>> Register to GSEF2016

RIPESS will be present with a representation of all its members – from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Oceania; organizing a working group on Collaborations & international synergies for ESS and will held its Board of Directors following the Forum, on the 10th and 11th of September.

If you are not able to attend, but you want to submit some proposals of collaboration, documents, ideas or references of projects, or even recommend any other organization to invite, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity by writing to the following e-mail address: laure.jongejans@ripess.org, and we will make sure to relay them.