Hogar de Cristo, a social center within the Comparte network, has established itself as a benchmark in the implementation of Solidarity Economic Circuits (SECs) in urban contexts in Guayaquil, paving the way toward a more inclusive, resilient, and transformative Popular and Solidarity Economy (PSE). This experience was highlighted by Ángela Marcela Castillo Urbano, a collaborator of the Comparte Network, during her recent visit to this social center located on the Ecuadorian coast.
The visit is part of the evaluation process of the cooperation agreement between the Comparte Network (Latin America) and REAS-Euskadi (Alternative and Solidarity Economy Network of the Basque Country), focused on strengthening SECs and the Social Economy Market (SEM) through the exchange of methodologies, learnings, and territorial experiences.
“Strengthening networks of solidarity economic circuits is key to transforming our territories. In this effort, Hogar de Cristo is a pioneering actor in urban contexts, where social realities are complex but also full of transformative potential,” said Castillo Urbano.
A Pioneering Experience with Territorial Impact
With more than 50 years of experience, Hogar de Cristo has promoted training processes, technical support, and solidarity fairs that strengthen local productive initiatives. Its innovative approach has enabled the adaptation of SECs to urban and peri-urban areas marked by poverty, violence, and institutional fragmentation.
One of the main challenges identified by the advisor is ensuring that entrepreneurs fully understand the deeper meaning of SECs. However, the organization has succeeded in creating a replicable methodology, laying solid foundations for a self-managed economy that is fairer and more participatory.
Keys to Sustainability
In addition to institutional alliances, Castillo Urbano emphasized the importance of:
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Strengthening governance by promoting the active participation of SEC actors in decision-making processes.
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Incorporating a gender perspective by critically analyzing roles and relationships within solidarity economic experiences.
A Commitment to Dignified Alternatives
In a country affected by multiple crises, the commitment to the Popular and Solidarity Economy is not only necessary but urgent. Hogar de Cristo demonstrates that it is indeed possible to build dignified socioeconomic alternatives at the local level, with community participation and a transformative vision.
This commitment aligns with the mission of the Comparte Network: to promote solidarity economic practices that foster the well-being (“buen vivir”) of Latin American communities.