In our latest episode, we chat with Dražen Šimleša from Croatia’s Green Network of Activist Groups and RIPESS Europe about what a just economy really means today—and how it’s already being built. From fair wages and democratic workplaces to sustainable local economies and global solidarity, Dražen gives us a grounded, practical view of how solidarity economy works in real life.
“We have the same goal—to make this world better for citizens, for people, but also for other beings and for nature. The forum is just one spark, but it must lead to continuously bringing us together more and more.”
Dražen Šimleša is a long-time member of Croatia’s Green Network of Activist Groups (GNAG) and also serves on the coordination board of RIPESS Europe, the continental network for social and solidarity economy (SSE). Speaking at a pre-Nyéléni forum gathering in Negombo, Sri Lanka, he offered a grounded and practical view of what a just economy means in today’s world—and how it’s already being built.
In your network in Croatia, what does a fair or just economy look like?
We approach solidarity economy from two interconnected levels. Internally, we support and promote enterprises and economic organizations that are democratic, inclusive, and transparent. These businesses prioritize how they share profits, how they reinvest in community well-being, and how they minimize ecological harm. The goal is to circulate money and resources much like nature does, sustainably and regeneratively. Externally, these businesses must also be embedded in and accountable to their local communities. They should directly contribute to the local quality of life, whether through job creation, sustainable services, or participatory decision-making. Ultimately, this work ties into the global just transition movement and intergenerational justice. It’s not just about surviving today, it’s about preserving life for the future.
Given the economic and social crises today, do you see more space for solidarity economy?
Yes, and ironically, it’s because the dominant system is visibly failing more and more people. People are increasingly aware that capitalism as it’s practiced today is unjust, unsustainable, and opaque. But the real question they ask is: What’s the alternative?
Our answer is that solidarity economy actors already exist. We don’t need to wait 50 years. They are creating alternatives now in their local contexts, in ways adapted to their cultures. In places like Quebec, Catalonia, Brazil, and Argentina, solidarity economy ecosystems are already operating at scale, building shared infrastructure, democratic governance, and local wealth.
Can you give a concrete picture of how these economies work? What does it mean in real life?
On the ground, it means fair wages, non-discrimination, and economic democracy. Workers, including women and marginalized groups, have equal pay and a real say in decisions. Ownership structures vary, but cooperatives are common. The key is transparency: profits are not siphoned away, but reinvested into the enterprise or shared with workers and the community. In some advanced regions like France, Spain, or Italy, there are now impact-measuring tools used by solidarity enterprises to prove their social contribution, not just for marketing, but as internal guides to stay accountable. These tools are sometimes even adopted into public procurement policies.
And solidarity economy isn’t limited to one sector. It includes everything: food systems, energy, construction, housing, services, education. The difference lies in how it’s done: ownership, power distribution, and commitment to community well-being.
How do you connect this work to policy change? Is there support at the state level?
Absolutely. We work both on the ground level and on public policy advocacy. While solidarity economy actors are often seen as “alternatives,” we know we’re not living in a parallel universe. We live in the same world as everyone else, so we work to influence mainstream public policy too. There are success stories globally. In 2023, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution on the Social and Solidarity Economy, a major milestone that now serves as a global framework for countries to adopt and build supportive policies. In Europe, we’ve seen regional and local governments much more active and supportive than national ones. Often, municipalities are quicker to innovate and respond to community needs.
What are the key challenges to spreading this model in Croatia and beyond?
The biggest challenge is visibility and scale. Many solidarity economy initiatives are small, fragmented, or under-resourced. They work, but they lack the power to influence national narratives or policies on their own. That’s why networks like RIPESS, or regional cooperation like in Catalonia or Quebec, are so important: they build ecosystems rather than isolated efforts.
In Croatia, national-level support is limited. We don’t yet have strong, consistent public policies for SSE. But at the local and regional level, we’re seeing real progress, especially where community life is more tangible and relational.
What do you hope to see come out of Nyéléni 2025 and the global food sovereignty movement?
I’ve been involved with Nyéléni Europe for years, but now that RIPESS is more closely engaged, I see a real opportunity. My hope is that the forum in Sri Lanka, and beyond, helps converge different movements: food sovereignty, social justice, solidarity economy, climate action. We may come from different starting points, but we are one river, flowing in the same direction. If we continue to walk together, learn from each other, and organize across borders, we can make a better world, not just for people, but for all life.
With over 500 delegates from 80+ countries expected, and interpretation into more than 17 languages, this forum will be a convergence of voices, movements, and visions for systemic change.
Listen now to the full conversation with Dražen—also available on iVoox—and walk with us toward the forum in September.