Reseña

In a world marked by multiple crises and persistent inequalities, cooperatives have proven to be a resilient, democratic, and people-centered organizational form. In this context, the United Nations has acknowledged the vital role of cooperativism in building sustainable and inclusive development by proclaiming both 2012 and 2025 as International Years of Cooperatives. These commemorations have not only helped to raise awareness of the sector’s historical contributions but have also propelled transformative agendas that position cooperatives as key actors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This publication brings together a series of studies that analyze the evolution of the cooperative movement in the Americas between these two milestones. Through research focused on national experiences in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Paraguay, the relationship is highlighted between the institutional development of the sector—in legal, regulatory, financial, and organizational terms—and its ability to contribute to productive and financial inclusion, territorial equity, decent work, and economic and social sustainability.
The works compiled in Chapter 1 invite us to reflect on the progress made, persistent challenges, and future opportunities. In Argentina, the long-term transformation of savings and credit cooperatives is examined. In Brazil, the analysis of 115 regulatory developments since 2012 shows how the legal framework can act as a driver for the expansion of cooperativism. Studies from Chile and Mexico reveal tensions between regulatory frameworks and the full recognition of cooperative identity. The case of Paraguay underscores the importance of clear regulations and inclusive public policies to ensure the sector’s social impact.
Beyond the institutional and regulatory analysis, Chapter 2 includes contributions that address emerging dynamics, new socio-productive practices, and innovations in the field of the Social and Solidarity Economy which strengthen cooperativism’s transformative horizon. These include concrete experiences of women’s inclusion in the governing bodies of cooperatives and mutuals in Santa Fe, Argentina, and the key roles they play in Community Banks and Social Currencies in Brazil. The process of consolidating solidarity intermediation as a sector with its own identity is also explored, as well as innovative methodologies for incubating solidarity economy enterprises with mental health service users in Brazil. The exploration of the impact of digital technologies and the use of big data in organizations geared toward productive efficiency reveals another facet of the transformation underway. Likewise, the emergence of new consumer cooperatives in Chile, with a strong collaborative and critical orientation; and the role of the Social Economy Sector in Mexico, as a key player in territorial governance and financial access in rural communities, demonstrate how cooperativism adapts to and addresses current needs. Finally, a regional study on environmental cooperatives documents innovative experiences in circular economy, renewable energy, and waste management across several Latin American countries, providing evidence of the cooperative model’s potential to confront today’s ecological and social challenges.
Taken together, these contributions strengthen the shared diagnosis of the current state of cooperativism in the region and provide valuable insights for projecting its strategic role in building a fairer, more democratic, and sustainable future.