Social Cooperatives as an Element of Solidarity Economy

Global economic and political instability has highlighted the shortcomings of the current global economic system and reaffirmed the need for an alternative or complementary development paradigm. The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is a sustainable solution to rebalance economic, social, and environmental goals. The analysis of scientific literature demonstrates the actualization in the world academic discourse of the problem related to the social solidarity economy, part of which is the cooperative form of socio-economic organization. The article deals with an interdisciplinary study of the place and role of cooperatives in the structure of SSE (Social and Solidarity Economy), international experience of the functioning of cooperation as an organizational form that consistently implements the principles of a socially-oriented economy, its legal regulation, and the mechanism of updates in the socio-economic process. The differences between social cooperatives and other types of social enterprises in countries with successful economies are considered. The SSE essential features and their correlation with cooperative principles of activity are shown. Based on an analysis of world experience, various ways of providing and accessing financial resources to support the SSE organizations and their ecosystems growth have been defined.