Harnessing synergies between sustainability, decent work, and the social solidarity economy: an introduction to the S-D-S toolkit

Jürgen Schwettmann, Mike Bull and Helen Wadham

Chapter 13 in The Elgar Companion to Social Innovation and the Sustainable Development Goals, 2026, pp 272-295 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The United Nations ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ presents a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. However, the promise of transformational change fails to engage with the development and social innovation potential of the ‘social and solidarity economy’ (SSE). This chapter explores the characteristics and potential of the SSE. We make the case that it is uniquely placed to contribute to a number of SDGs, particularly in the informal economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, we critically examine the 2030 Agenda and its underlying assumption that development cannot take place without the involvement of governments, donors, or the private sector. To date, the idea that social innovation is emergent from people who can, and do, help themselves through cooperation, solidarity, reciprocity, and mutuality is glaringly ignored. The S-D-S toolkit systematizes the relationship between SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, identifying where the SSE can have the most impact.

Keywords: Social Solidarity Economy; Sub-Saharan Africa; Decent Work Agenda; Impact; Toolkit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035326037
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