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The GSEF in Mexico’s social economy week: Strengthening the Role of Local Governments in Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy

On 26 August, during the Second National Social Economy Meeting in Mexico, Aude Saldana, Secretary General of the GSEF, took part in the day dedicated to local governments, entitled “Driving Territorial Transformation through the Social and Solidarity Economy: Latin American Meeting towards GSEF 2027.” The GSEF was also represented by Román Carabajo Alvear, from the City of Cuenca, GSEF Continental Co-Presidency for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Berenice Alcalde, a member of the GSEF Advisory Committee. The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the GSEF and the Secretariat of Economy of the United Mexican States.

Discussions during the meeting

Local authorities, institutional representatives, and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) stakeholders shared their experiences around a common challenge: strengthening the role of local governments and their dialogue with SSE organizations in order to consolidate territorial SSE ecosystems. Thanks to the work of Berenice Alcalde, a roundtable was organized with the participation of Aude Saldana, representatives of the city of Maricá, Román Florencio Carabajo from the city of Cuenca, and numerous officials from Mexico City. This meeting marked a new stage in the Latin American mobilization towards the Maricá Global Forum in October 2027.

Aude Saldana also had the opportunity to present the GSEF Observatory of Local SSE Public Policies. The Observatory aims to support the continuous publication of policy notes that encourage sustained reflection on local SSE public policies. It brings together contributions prepared by local governments and their partners, as well as by other SSE stakeholders, organisations and researchers. These policy notes document sectoral, cross-cutting and innovative dynamics in local SSE public policies, and submissions remain open.

Maricá as a key focus for 2027

Matheus Gaucho, Secretary for the Social and Solidarity Economy of the Municipality of Maricá, and Adalton da Motta Mendonça, deputy Secretary, joined the meeting remotely to invite the territories and stakeholders present to take part in the next World Forum, which will be held in Maricá, from 9 to 12 October 2027. They expressed their enthusiasm about hosting the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum, as a continuation of the cooperation developed over recent months and of Maricá’s active engagement within the GSEF, contributing with increasing strength to the international SSE agenda.

During their video address, Adalton presented some of the territory’s most significant public policies, including the Mumbuca Social Currency and basic income programmes benefiting more than 70,000 people in Maricá. He also highlighted the municipality’s food security policy, implemented through municipal restaurants promoting healthy food and production free from agrochemicals and pesticides.

Memorandum of Understanding

The GSEF’s presence in Mexico City also marked a new stage in cooperation between the two parties, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the GSEF and the Secretariat of Economy of Mexico. The Memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between the Secretariat of Economy of the United Mexican States and the GSEF to strengthen Social and Solidarity Economy ecosystems, territorial development and public policies in Mexico and Latin America.

Five actions have been identified as priorities. Among them is the meeting held on August 26 on local governments and SSE. Another key objective is to identify territorial policies and initiatives that could be developed into policy briefs, case studies, or other Mexican contributions to the GSEF Local SSE Policy Observatory. These efforts could also lead to a publication dedicated to Mexico’s local governments on the occasion of the Maricá Global Forum. A Mexico–Latin America roadmap towards Maricá 2027 is also envisaged to coordinate thematic inputs, delegations, and contributions. The fifth area of work will focus on capacity building, peer learning, and technical cooperation, to be implemented through webinars, study visits, and other initiatives.

Conclusion

The meeting strengthened the GSEF’s commitment to advancing the SSE in Mexico and Latin America, while highlighting the central role of local governments in its development. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding opens a new chapter of cooperation and joint efforts to develop concrete initiatives. Looking ahead to MaricáGSEF2027, the GSEF will continue to promote the exchange of experiences, knowledge production and collaboration among territories, contributing to a shared agenda for the advancement of the SSE.