Measuring What Matters: Evolving Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Evaluation Tools and Approaches
Panel Discussion | Online
-
Organized by:
Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA)
- In partnership with: Developmenet Solutions NGO, International Labor Organization/COOPS SSE
About the Event
As the world faces numerous interrelated economic, social, and environmental challenges, social and solidarity economy (SSE) entities contribute to creating decent jobs, promoting societies' sustainability, and fostering social inclusion at local, national, regional, and global levels.
The Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy was adopted at the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2022. The Resolution includes a first agreed tripartite definition of the SSE at the international level: The SSE encompasses enterprises, organizations, and other entities that are engaged in economic, social, and environmental activities to serve the collective and/or general interest, which are based on the principles of voluntary cooperation and mutual aid, democratic and/or participatory governance, autonomy and independence, and the primacy of people and social purpose over the capital in the distribution and use of surpluses and/or profits as well as assets.
The findings from the International Labor Organization (ILO)-led ‘Strengthening the Social and Solidarity Economy in Asia Phase 2’ project highlight the significant yet under-recognized role that SSE entities play in contributing to decent work and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the SSE concept is relatively new in Asia and the Pacific, the study reveals that SSE entities are already active in many countries, often operating as non-governmental organizations, third-sector organizations, and social enterprises.
However, despite their important contributions, SSE entities face considerable challenges that limit their ability to achieve their full potential. Key constraints identified in the study include:
• Weak legal and regulatory frameworks that fail to provide clear recognition and support for SSE entities.
• Limited access to finance, which restricts their capacity to scale and innovate.
• Barriers to market access, reducing opportunities for SSE actors to expand their reach.
• Gaps in skills and business development services, hindering SSE organizations from strengthening their operations and maximizing impact.
Why Discuss an SSE Evaluation Framework and Systematic Data Collection?
Given these constraints, developing a robust SSE evaluation framework is crucial to ensuring that SSE entities' contributions are effectively measured, recognized, and integrated into broader development strategies. A well-defined framework can:
1. Capture the Diverse Impact of SSE: SSE entities deliver both social and economic value, which traditional evaluation frameworks may overlook. Developing tailored evaluation methods will help measure SSE’s distinct contributions, including social cohesion, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
2. Support Evidence-Based Policy Making: Reliable data is essential for informing policy decisions that can strengthen the SSE ecosystem. Establishing systematic statistical data collection mechanisms will provide governments, development organizations, and SSE stakeholders with valuable insights to design targeted interventions.
3. Enhance Resource Allocation and Support: By demonstrating SSE’s measurable impact, an evaluation framework can improve access to financial resources, skills development programs, and market opportunities.
4. Strengthen Accountability and Learning: A structured evaluation framework encourages continuous learning and improvement within SSE entities, ensuring they can adapt to emerging challenges and maximize their contributions to sustainable growth.
Moving Forward: Building Relevant Tools and Methods
To keep evaluation practices relevant for SSE’s evolving landscape, the panel discussion can explore key questions such as:
• What approaches, methods, and tools are most effective for evaluating SSE entities?
• How can data collection frameworks ensure comprehensive insights into SSE’s impact?
• What steps can governments and development organizations take to institutionalize SSE evaluation practices for informed policymaking?
Addressing these questions will help build stronger SSE ecosystems that contribute to sustainability, efficiency, and growth—ensuring SSE's full potential is unlocked across Asia and the Pacific.
The Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy was adopted at the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2022. The Resolution includes a first agreed tripartite definition of the SSE at the international level: The SSE encompasses enterprises, organizations, and other entities that are engaged in economic, social, and environmental activities to serve the collective and/or general interest, which are based on the principles of voluntary cooperation and mutual aid, democratic and/or participatory governance, autonomy and independence, and the primacy of people and social purpose over the capital in the distribution and use of surpluses and/or profits as well as assets.
The findings from the International Labor Organization (ILO)-led ‘Strengthening the Social and Solidarity Economy in Asia Phase 2’ project highlight the significant yet under-recognized role that SSE entities play in contributing to decent work and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the SSE concept is relatively new in Asia and the Pacific, the study reveals that SSE entities are already active in many countries, often operating as non-governmental organizations, third-sector organizations, and social enterprises.
However, despite their important contributions, SSE entities face considerable challenges that limit their ability to achieve their full potential. Key constraints identified in the study include:
• Weak legal and regulatory frameworks that fail to provide clear recognition and support for SSE entities.
• Limited access to finance, which restricts their capacity to scale and innovate.
• Barriers to market access, reducing opportunities for SSE actors to expand their reach.
• Gaps in skills and business development services, hindering SSE organizations from strengthening their operations and maximizing impact.
Why Discuss an SSE Evaluation Framework and Systematic Data Collection?
Given these constraints, developing a robust SSE evaluation framework is crucial to ensuring that SSE entities' contributions are effectively measured, recognized, and integrated into broader development strategies. A well-defined framework can:
1. Capture the Diverse Impact of SSE: SSE entities deliver both social and economic value, which traditional evaluation frameworks may overlook. Developing tailored evaluation methods will help measure SSE’s distinct contributions, including social cohesion, job creation, and environmental sustainability.
2. Support Evidence-Based Policy Making: Reliable data is essential for informing policy decisions that can strengthen the SSE ecosystem. Establishing systematic statistical data collection mechanisms will provide governments, development organizations, and SSE stakeholders with valuable insights to design targeted interventions.
3. Enhance Resource Allocation and Support: By demonstrating SSE’s measurable impact, an evaluation framework can improve access to financial resources, skills development programs, and market opportunities.
4. Strengthen Accountability and Learning: A structured evaluation framework encourages continuous learning and improvement within SSE entities, ensuring they can adapt to emerging challenges and maximize their contributions to sustainable growth.
Moving Forward: Building Relevant Tools and Methods
To keep evaluation practices relevant for SSE’s evolving landscape, the panel discussion can explore key questions such as:
• What approaches, methods, and tools are most effective for evaluating SSE entities?
• How can data collection frameworks ensure comprehensive insights into SSE’s impact?
• What steps can governments and development organizations take to institutionalize SSE evaluation practices for informed policymaking?
Addressing these questions will help build stronger SSE ecosystems that contribute to sustainability, efficiency, and growth—ensuring SSE's full potential is unlocked across Asia and the Pacific.
Speakers
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Bat-Orshikh Erdenebat | Chief Advisor, Development Solutions NGO | Bat-Orshikh Erdenebat is a distinguished advisor at Development Solutions NGO in Mongolia, over 15 years of experience in employment, entrepreneurship, and a strong focus on social and environmental impact. His efforts in promoting sustainability, integrating circular and creative economy principles, advancing social and solidarity economy, and fostering decent and social entrepreneurship in rural and disadvantaged regions highlight his commitment to creating a more sustainable future. |
| Bolormaa Purevsuren | National Coordinator | Bolormaa Purevsuren is the National Coordinator for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Mongolia. She leads the ILO’s work on labour standards, decent work, and social protection, collaborating closely with national institutions to advance international labour rights and improve conditions for Mongolia’s workers, including vulnerable populations like herders. |
Moderators
| Name | Title | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Purevdulam Jamiyansuren | Board Member and Capacity Building Chair of Mongolian Evaluation Association, of MEA, Independent Evaluator | Purevdulam is an experienced specialist in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL), committed to fostering a data-driven policy and decision-making culture in Mongolia through extensive contributions to both internal and external monitoring and evaluation initiatives. Currently, she serves as a Capacity Building Co-Chair of the Board of Directors at the Mongolian Evaluation Association (MEA), where she promotes the professionalization and institutionalization of evaluation at the national level in Mongolia. Previously, she was the Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the USAID-funded BEST program, where she played a pivotal role in empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and supporting transitions within the informal economy. She led the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and research activities across diverse projects aimed at strengthening SME development and support nationwide. She holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Business from Budapest Business University. |