Development cooperation is very present on the agenda of Social Economy companies and their representative organizations. The fact that the Social Economy is based on values such as solidarity, participation and responsible business action for the benefit of the general interest of the people, makes its model of economic development especially appropriate and suitable for achieving the objectives of the policies of cooperation. The added value of the Social Economy in development cooperation is also given by its ability to generate a business fabric that responds to people´s economic and social needs. People who collectively take the initiative to undertake an economic project to promote local development and social cohesion in rural geographical areas or areas far from the centers of power, which generally offer few life opportunities to their inhabitants.
The Master Plans that mark the strategic priorities of the Spanish Development Cooperation recognize the companies of the Social Economy as one of the actors of the policies in favor of economic growth for the reduction of poverty.
The Social economy entities linked to CEPES are specialized in executing cooperation actions and projects aimed at creating employment and generating inclusive economic growth at the local level, supporting the creation of social economy enterprises by vulnerable groups (farmers, small agricultural producers, among others) and women in order to increase their economic resources, improve their environment or socio-cultural and its capacity for social mobilization. These projects generate wealth at the local level, with Social Economy companies becoming the engine of economic development in disadvantaged rural and urban areas, ensuring access to basic services such as education or health.
CEPES AS A SOCIAL COOPERATION AGENT
CEPES, as a representative business organization of the Social Economy, is working so that Social Economy companies are taken into account in state cooperation and development policies, participating in the Development Cooperation Council under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and organizing activities that increase the visibility and contribution of the Social Economy to Cooperation.
