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On September 2026 FEBEA officially joined the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy as an observer together. This recognition reflects the growing importance of ethical and alternative finance in advancing a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable economy. It also gives FEBEA an opportunity to bring the experience of its network to an international platform working to strengthen the role of the social and solidarity economy in sustainable development.
The UNTFSSE brings together United Nations entities, intergovernmental organizations and international non-governmental organizations working to promote the social and solidarity economy. Its members and observers collaborate to increase the visibility of the sector, support enabling policy frameworks, strengthen partnerships and improve knowledge and coordination across the UN system.
As an observer, FEBEA will be able to: participate in open meetings of the Task Force, contribute to relevant activities and technical work, provide expertise, feedback and advice on issues addressed by the UNTFSSE and respond to requests for input and share the experience of ethical and alternative finance institutions.
Observer status does not confer voting rights, but it provides an active role in discussions, working processes and collaborative initiatives. Observers are expected to contribute meaningfully to the Task Force’s work and to support its aims and principles.
Ethical finance is an essential part of a strong social and solidarity economy. Social economy organizations may have clear social objectives and strong local roots, but they still need access to appropriate, tailored and values-based finance to develop their activities and create lasting impact.
FEBEA’s network brings together more than 30 financial and non-financial institutions in 17 European countries, including ethical banks, cooperative lenders, foundations, associations and other organizations active in alternative finance. These institutions demonstrate that finance can be directed towards people, communities and the common good rather than serving financial returns alone.
Through its participation in the UNTFSSE, FEBEA will help strengthen the connection between financial practice and international policy discussions. It will contribute knowledge on: financing social and solidarity economy organizations, cooperative, ethical and solidarity-based financial models, the role of citizens’ savings in supporting local communities, access to finance for organizations pursuing social and environmental objectives and the contribution of democratic and participatory financial institutions to sustainable development.
This perspective is particularly important as policymakers and international institutions seek practical ways to respond to inequality, social exclusion, environmental challenges and the need for more resilient local economies.
Joining the UNTFSSE as an observer is also a significant recognition of FEBEA and its network.
The UNTFSSE’s observer admission guidelines require organizations to have a global or regional remit, focus on promoting or analysing the social and solidarity economy, commit to contributing to the Task Force’s objectives and collaborate actively with at least one Task Force member. Applicants must also support and implement the principles and objectives of the UNTFSSE.
FEBEA’s admission therefore acknowledges both the relevance of ethical finance to the social and solidarity economy. It confirms that FEBEA’s mission, network and approach are aligned with the values that underpin the Task Force: solidarity, democratic and participatory governance, autonomy, cooperation and the primacy of people and social purpose over capital.
For FEBEA, this is more than an institutional affiliation. It is a sign of trust: trust that our network can contribute constructively to international cooperation, and trust that ethical and alternative finance has an important role to play in maintaining and advancing the values of the social and solidarity economy.
FEBEA joins the UNTFSSE at a moment of growing international cooperation on the social and solidarity economy. In June 2026, governments from all United Nations regional groups met at the International Labour Organization to launch the Group of Friends on the Social and Solidarity Economy, a voluntary platform for intergovernmental cooperation.
We look forward to working with the Task Force’s members and observers, sharing the experience of ethical finance institutions and learning from partners across the wider social and solidarity economy movement.
By contributing to this global community, FEBEA will continue to promote financial systems that serve people and the common good, and to show how finance can support inclusion, resilience, democratic participation and sustainable development.
At FEBEA, we believe finance should serve people and the common good. For decades, ethical finance institutions across our network have channelled citizens’ savings towards local communities and the social and solidarity economy, demonstrating that finance can drive inclusion, resilience and sustainable development. We are pleased to contribute this experience to the UNTFSSE as an Observer and look forward to collaborating with fellow members, learning from the Task Force’s collective expertise and sharing the contribution of ethical finance to more democratic and people-centred economic systems.
