Networks of solidarity economy, tools for local development and social innovation

The article analyzes the capability of enterprises and social enterprises (as reported by Borzaga and Fazzi (Le imprese sociali, Carocci Editore, Roma, 2011); as reported by Drapery (Comprendre l’économie social, Dunod, Paris 2007)) in promoting local sustainable development, starting from the organization of alternative agro-food networks Renting et al. (Environ Plann 35:393–411, 2003). The analysis starts from a case study of 40 solidarity purchasing groups of solidarity economy in Italy. In particular, the article focuses on the solidarity economic network “REES Marche”. Meanwhile, solidarity purchasing groups (SPGs) in the literature have been studied under the perspective of consumers, even those of the Marche Orazi (DES.so. Economia solidali e cittadini consapevoli, Cattedrale, Ancona, 2011), this article means to go ahead underlining also the perspective of producers. The analysis of data raises up 4 types of possible organizations linked to solidarity purchasing groups, with different levels of social innovation in promoting a sustainable development. Results show that a sustainable local development is enhanced by a thick social cooperation among enterprises into a network, as, for example, that of SPGs. Moreover, it is promoted by a reorganization of the productive chain on local, ecological and ethical basis that directly impacts on production and consumption of fair products. Furthermore, the article shows that the direct relationship among entrepreneur and consumers stimulates a social innovation in solving problems. We use a mixed method approach: a quantitative analysis of statistical data on the web site of REES Marche; a qualitative analysis based on participatory observation and on data collected through 34 in-depth interviews with network’s members.