The paper explores the role of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) to support people, places and firms in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), along with actions that countries can take to promote its potential. It begins by exploring the role the SSE to support disadvantaged people in LAC, such as through local job creation. The paper analyses the role the SSE can play to leverage social capital to provide innovative solutions to spatial inequalities. Finally, the paper covers the way in which newer forms of the SSE can support entrepreneurship. This publication was originally drafted to serve as a foundation for discussions at the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Social Inclusion Ministerial in Bogotá, Colombia, on 22 October 2024. This publication supported Ministerial Session II: Empowering local communities and the grassroots economy: Innovative tools and new approaches.
