Building bridges

Editorial Revista Convit/e No. 3.

Mescladís is a social and solidarity economy (SSE) initiative based on principles of solidarity, equity, participation and sustainability. Our goal is to meet social needs and promote the well-being of people and our community, as opposed to the exclusive pursuit of financial profit. Through our restaurants, catering services and social and labor inclusion and community development programs, we seek to generate decent employment, promote social integration, foster gender equality, protect the environment and strengthen community cohesion.

Mescladís is part of a group of organizations, such as cooperatives, mutuals, associations, social enterprises or foundations that are characterized by their democratic and participatory nature in the construction of an economic model focused on people and sustainability. We currently represent around 10% of Barcelona's GDP, which has a very positive influence on the rest of the companies, but far from enough. In a world where social and environmental challenges are increasingly pressing, it is essential to seek innovative and effective solutions. From Mescladís we understand that companies and the SSE must create bridges that complement and strengthen our impacts.

It is essential for broad business sectors to commit to social and environmental transformation. In this sense, the so-called impact economy is emerging, a network of organizations that seek to achieve economic benefits while generating positive social and environmental impact. It is no longer enough to focus solely on economic aspects. The business world is in search of purpose. Society needs it and demands it. Consumers demand that products and services be consistent with social and environmental care. This context explains the growth of initiatives such as BCorp and the rise of the impact economy. It is no longer enough to consider only the interests of shareholders, but also those of employees, suppliers, customers, local communities and the environment. Consumers are increasingly demanding that companies demonstrate ethical and transparent management, using their business as a force for positive impact on society. And we are glad that this is the case. Eliminating greenwashing requires an alert society, committed entrepreneurs and regulations that prevent deception.

SSE and impact economics start from different approaches and languages, but share a strong common ground: addressing social challenges and contributing to the well-being of people and communities. It is imperative that we understand and learn from both approaches. By learning from the experiences and practices of the impact economy, we can strengthen our business strategies and our ability to measure and communicate the outcome of our work. At the same time, SSE can bring its expertise in participatory management, equity and social inclusion, thus enriching impact economics approaches.
The complementarity between SSE and impact economics is evident when considering the different approaches and languages used. While impact economics focuses on quantitative measurement of results and financial returns, SSE emphasizes participatory processes, social justice and building relationships based on trust. By merging these approaches, we can create business models that are sustainable and socially just, generating measurable and meaningful impact.

Collaboration as a driver of change

At Mescladís we advocate collaboration between SSE actors and the impact economy to drive social change. SSE organizations can bring their expertise in participatory management and building strong local relationships, while impact businesses can contribute their innovative business approach and ability to scale and replicate effective solutions. Together we can address complex challenges more effectively and create lasting change. It is time to build bridges and work together to drive social change and create a world in which all people can thrive. Building bridges, fostering collaboration, encouraging dialogue and promoting understanding are the goals with which we approach this new issue of our magazine.

Welcome to the Convit/e.

Martin Habiague