We often find that solidarity econo

We often find that solidarity economy is embedded in the concept of social economy. Social
economy spans all levels of economic organization from the neighbourhood to the global, and
manifests itself in various forms of "community economy" or "self-help economy" (Figure 1).
It is defined as an economy based on new values and concepts that inspire forms of social
innovation, self-management and alternative forms of exchange (AUINGER, 2009). Social
economy has been referred to as the "third system", in opposition to the "first system" (private
and profit-oriented) and to the "second system" (public service-planned provision) (PEARCE,
2003). In economics, the aim of the first system is efficiency, that of the second system is
equality, while social economy, as the third system, strives for reciprocity