Technical Working Groups on Cooperative and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Statistics launched

© ILO

© ILO

GENEVA (ILO News) - On March 12, the ILO launched two Technical Working Groups (TWG) on statistics: the COPAC TWG on Measuring the Economic Contribution of Cooperatives (TWG MECC) and the UNTFSSE TWG on Social and Solidarity Economy Statistics (TWG SSES). The two technical working groups are tasked with an ambitious mission: refining and advancing cooperative statistics and laying the methodological groundwork for SSE statistics. They bring together around 30 members carefully selected for a balanced representation of a wide range of institutional, regional and sectoral perspectives.

Historically, while the need to measure the size, impact, and contributions of cooperatives and the SSE has been acknowledged, the absence of internationally agreed standards has led to significant gaps. The 2018 adoption of the Guidelines on Statistics of Cooperatives at the International Conference of Labour Statisticians marked an important milestone, yet challenges remain. More recently, a shared definition for the SSE emerged in 2022 with the ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the SSE, reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly in 2023.

Nawon Lee, ILO Technical Specialist, noted that our current task is to translate these conceptual advances into rigorous statistical standards. He also highlighted the significance of the launch, marking it as an important step in the journey toward better understanding and documenting the economic impacts of cooperatives and the SSE. He noted that “This collaborative initiative comes during the second UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025, with heightened attention to standardizing statistical approaches to cooperatives and the wider SSE.”

Simel Esim, Head of the ILO's COOP/SSE Unit and Chair of the UNTFSSE (United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy), delivered opening remarks that set the tone for the objectives of the TWGs. Pointing out the historical trajectory of this work at the ILO since the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013, she remarked that the formation of these two TWGs is a significant milestone in furthering the development of cooperative statistics and establishing a foundation for comprehensive SSE statistics. Underlining the importance of having a shared collaborative vision for progress, Ms Esim noted "We look forward to working together, learning from each other, and advancing this critical agenda in the months and years ahead."

The event featured insights from David Hunter from StatClass Consulting Services, and Marie J. Bouchard, Professor Emerita at Université du Québec à Montréal who discussed the current status and key issues in measuring the economic contributions of cooperatives and SSE statistics, setting a thoughtful backdrop for future discussions. Their presentations highlighted the critical need for improved data quality, enhanced methodological frameworks, and innovative statistical techniques—such as data triangulation and integrated micro–macro analysis—to overcome longstanding obstacles.

The Road Ahead

Hyungsik Eum, ILO consultant on cooperative and SSE statistics, noted that the establishment of TWG MECC and TWG SSES is a forward-looking step to tackling the complexities of measuring economic contribution of cooperatives and other social solidarity economy entities. It promises to enhance the visibility and impact of these entities in global economic discourse, paving the way for informed policymaking and sustainable economic development. Mr Eum noted that the deliberations and outcomes from these TWG discussions are set to contribute to the development of a statistical manual on cooperatives and guidelines on SSE statistics, which are anticipated for presentation and discussion at the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) in 2028. The upcoming meetings of the two TWGs will take place in April 2025.