Social and solidarity economy (SSE), although not such a new concept, in practice represent an economic trend that has been enjoying an increasing degree of affirmation in recent years, primarily due to the fundamental idea – actions stemming from business practices, aimed at contributing to solving social problems and initiating positive social change. Social entrepreneurship, which so far represents the most recognizable form of the idea of ​​social and solidarity economy, has a long tradition in Serbia, which was affirmed by the adoption of the first Law on Social Entrepreneurship in February 2022. The potential for achieving sustainable development, as well as socio-economically fairer communities, is largely the reason for the growing popularity of this concept in Western countries, as well as other countries in the world. While some believe that SSE has great potential based on a corrective mechanism for the existing mainstream capitalist system, others see potential in the transformational capacity that in the future can enable a complete change of the system. Nevertheless, it will be that the concept contains equal potential for shaping the economic system, but conditioned by local, national and regional contexts. Existing and developing SSE practices give the best answer to the question to what extent and with what dynamics the SSE concept can take root in Serbia and what changes it can bring.

The aim of the round table is to understand the concept and the practice of SSE in Serbia. Firstly the concept of SSE and its role in the mainstream economic system will be discussed, then the SSE actors will talk about their experiences, with special reference to the questions: 1.) What is the social problem they are trying to solve? 2.) In what way their actions contribute to solving the problem? 3.) What do they do differently compared to the mechanisms of the mainstream economy?

The round table is realized in cooperation with Association Coalition for Solidarity Economy Development.