Global SSE Forum
Bordeaux GSEF 2025
In the autumn of 2025, the Global Social and Solidarity Economy Forum will be held for the first time in France, following previous events held in Seoul, Montreal, Bilbao, Mexico City and Dakar.
This major biennial international event brings together all the stakeholders in the Social and Solidarity Economy ecosystem.

Presentation of the Forum
The objective
Pooling the visions and practices that can make the SSE the “standard that will regulate the economy of tomorrow”, imposing the primacy of people and collective projects over capital and structuring an economy of proximity and the long term perspectives.
As with every edition of the Global SSE Forum, Bordeaux GSEF 2025 aims to:
- bring together elected representatives and leaders from all over the world, along with international experts, development agencies, networks and stakeholders in the field who are committed to promoting economic models centred on people while respecting the environment. A final declaration sets out the political commitments and a roadmap for the next two years;
- encourage exchanges of experience and expertise implemented on all continents. The dense programme, co-constructed with the Scientific Committee and the contributions received, will reflect initiatives led by players committed to the SSE, using formats that encourage perspective and cross-fertilisation.
A highlight on the international agenda
The Global SSE Forum 2025 is a key event on the road to achieving the sustainable development goals. With 5 years to go before the 2030 Agenda, it will bring together civil society and local and regional authorities to get things moving, challenge decision-makers and speed up the just transition. This meeting is also part of a dense and decisive global sequence, just a few days away from the World Social Forum in Doha (4-6 November 2025), which will bring together heads of state and government to accelerate the implementation of a new global social contract based on the reduction of poverty.
In this context, Bordeaux GSEF 2025 will be a powerful reminder of the key role played by local governments and civil society in building sustainable, inclusive development rooted in the territories. This is a strategic moment to share concrete solutions, strengthen cooperation and make the voice of local players heard on a global scale. This is all the more crucial given the many threats facing the world today: wars, authoritarian regimes, economic disorder, hardening social relations, ecological disasters, disinformation, etc. The SSE is witnessing a new narrative that it is up to us all to write.
In the colours of SSE
In addition to the central site of the event, the Forum will extend over time and space, with a suggested tour route on the eve of the opening to enable visitors to get to know the SSE in their local area, as well as highlighting the SSE for the general public and mobilising hundreds of young people to make their voices heard and give voice to their initiatives.
Open to the city, Bordeaux GSEF 2025 will be an opportunity to showcase the SSE in what it is and could be even more, present in everyone's daily life, serving the common good. Fertile gateways will also be offered to conventional economic players to promote responsible cooperation rooted locally.
Bordeaux GSEF 2025, a lively, invigorating, welcoming and engaging Forum!
✓ 3-day Forum
+ 1 day of territorial pathways offered the day before
✓ 4 000 participants are expected from all 5 continents:
local and national governments, institutions, networks and SSE players
✓ one dedicated site: the Palais 2 l’Atlantique at Bordeaux-Lac
a high-quality, recently-built infrastructure with great transport links, fully adapted to the format and constraints of the event will host the Forum.
+ a city centre site on the banks of the river:
the Hangar 14
with:
- an area for the general public entitled “SSE, the economy that's good for us”;
- meetings and discussions on regional cooperation with players in the conventional economy;
- a Bodega for refreshments and snacks;
- evenings at the Espace “Garonne”.
+ a SSE Youth Hub : the Cité Bleue and an associated venue, Chapitô (City of Bègles).
Concerts, festive evenings... and lots more surprises to discover!
