Culture and innovation as a driver of the ESS in the Baix Llobregat – Ateneu

The Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) is not just an alternative way to undertake or manage economic projects. It is also a way to rethink our relationship with work, with the territory, with resources and, above all, with people. And in this context, culture and innovation play a central role. Not as isolated sectors, but as spaces where new forms of coexistence, transmission of values ​​and social transformation are experienced.

In the Baix Llobregat, this bond between culture, innovation and ES take shape through the Circle of Innovation and Culture of the Cooperative Ateneu. A space for meeting, collaboration and shared strategy between projects that understand culture as a common good, and innovation as a tool to improve the lives of people and communities.

Cooperative Culture: Identity, Participation and Transformation

Cooperativism and culture have much in common: both are based on collective creation, active participation and community empowerment. From the ESS, a culture is defended other than a consumer product, but a right and a tool for free expression, for social cohesion and for the construction of diverse identities.

Cooperative cultural initiatives in the Baix Llobregat explore diverse formats: self -managed festivals, community art projects, shared creation spaces, cooperative music and dance schools, etc. These projects not only generate economic activity, but also help to make neighborhoods and villages more open, creative and cohesive spaces.

Social and technological innovation with values

When we talk about innovation since the ESS, we are not just talking about technology. We talk about putting creativity at the service of the common good. It means thinking new models of participation, new systems of democratic governance, more efficient ways to distribute resources or services … and also means taking advantage of technology from an ethical, open and community perspective.

In the territory there are experiences of cooperative digitalization, inclusive technology education, makers or shared audiovisual creation, which represent this other way of doing innovation: rooted, open and committed.

What does the Circle of Innovation and Culture do?

This circle acts as a space for connection between cooperatives, entities and people who work in the cultural or innovative field. It promotes meetings, training spaces, joint actions and collective diagnosis processes to detect needs and opportunities.

In addition, it connects with the work that other circles of the Ateneo do to generate shared strategies and synergies. For example, the crossing between culture and sustainability or between innovation and care. This cross -cutting approach is key to strengthening the cooperative model.

The territory is rich in cultural and creative initiatives, but many are on the periphery of cultural policies or without enough structural support. Cooperativism can be a way to provide them with more stability, internal democracy and economic sustainability.

There is also room to make the transformative role of social and technological innovation more visible within the ESS, and to better connect with educational centers, cultural agents and public administrations.

Conclusion: Culture as a cooperative engine

In short, the Circle of Innovation and Culture is a commitment to recognizing culture and innovation as Central Parts of the ESS. Because without culture there is no community, and without innovation there is no transformation.

The Ateneu Cooperativa del Baix Llobregat works to make these experiences visible, strengthen them and generate a common story that connects the different voices and practices of the territory. A cooperative culture, open, brave and transformative.