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How do we strengthen the economic and political networks of people involved in the alternative economies of Berlin and Brandenburg?  How do we foster the development of a viable network for sustainable and solidarity economy, as a tangible alternative for the majority?  The Podium introduces the current networking activities, offers access to the various aspects of regional networks and gives a focussed overview of the regional themes and possibilities for exchange beyond the Congress.

How do the EU institutions promote “the spread and strengthening of the social economy as key driver of economic and social development in the European Union”, in line with the EU 2020 strategy? EU parliament’s Social Economy intergroup states that “social economy is able to bring innovative solutions for social cohesion and inclusion, job creation, entrepreneurial spirit, growth and the promotion of active citizenship“. Although some work has been made during the last Parliament’s and Commission’s mandates, a lot still has to be done.

What is the relationship today between Social Solidarity Economy actors and the political landscape? Where do old and new political parties stand with regards to alternative economic approaches and practices and their promotion? How is the European Parliament moving, beyond the social business and green economy approach? Is it possible to create new spaces of political dialogue between political institutions and grassroots solidarity economy networks and initiatives to promote the development of SSE both at the European and at the local level?

Making the alliance to stop TTIP and all other “free trade” agreements while developing the fair and solidarity international trade. What impact do TTIP, TISA,TPP, EPAs and the ISDS mechanism have on local economies and food sovereignty?  What is our response? A panel to debate how to join forces among the different social movements and Solidarity Economy initiatives, including Fair Trade, as well as the international institutions who promote the rights of the people vs the profit of the corporations.

The podium theme is the Solidarity Economy movement in Brazil. The development of the Solidarity Economy in Brazil grew out of the Forum on the Solidarity Economy, as well as the necessary political frameworks via the National Secretariat of Ministry of Labour.  The questions in this panel will focus on the organisational structures, networking and ability to realize and implement goals as well as political frameworks and look towards perspectives for transformation.

With this session, we invite scholars to share their experiences and to collectively think about possible avenues of cooperation, such as common calls for action and the formation of an international university network around the theme of building Solidarity Economies. Brazilian universities play an important role in incubating Solidarity Economy enterprises. Two university networks exist comprising around 40 universities each, which explicitly promote such incubation processes.