Paper short abstract:

This paper explores critically the role played the state and SSE organisations in the attainment of SGDs, more specifically, it explores how SSE organisations have contributed to the implementations of SDGs. The article draws on extensive qualitative data collected in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Paper long abstract:

SSE in Latin America is commonly refer to as Popular and Solidarity Economy (PSE) and, it has been embraced by several countries across the region. Article 283 of the Constitution of Ecuador (in place since 2008) states that Ecuador's 'economic system is social and solidaristic, it recognises human beings as the subject and the purpose of it' furthermore, it states 'PSE includes co-operatives, associations and community enterprises'. Since 2008, Ecuador has developed a robust state apparatus that seeks to build a people-centre economy and society, it aims to achieve this by translating SSE values and principles into action while engaging with the most vulnerable sectors of society.

Ecuador's Organic Law for PSE (2011), seeks to develop an economy 'based on relations of solidarity, cooperation and reciprocity, giving priority to (decent) work and to human beings over the accumulation of capital'. SSE organisations contribute almost 60% of the GDP and have increased from 18,016 in 2012 to 20,955 in 2015

The national development plans (2007, 2009 and 2013) were developed in line with the MDGs and SGDs and between 2009 and 2016, the national multidimensional poverty index reduced from 54% to 35%, however, there is little evidence-based research that shows how and in what ways SSE has played a role in the attainment of MDGs and SDGs.

This paper explores critically the role played the state and SSE organisations in the attainment of SGDs, more specifically, it explores how SSE organisations have contributed to the implementations of SDGs.