One fundamental underlying assumpti

One fundamental underlying assumption of solidarity economy is the idea of collaboration. It
thus bases on the idea that human nature is more cooperative than competitive (BOWLES and
GINTIS, 2011). A very important ingredient in solidarity economy is the networking of initiatives
and actors, who can share knowledge and construct the fabric of another paradigm of social
values. The practices at micro level should interweave with each other in broader collaborative
networks and solidarity chains in order to be viable and effective (ARRUDA, 2004). The values
that solidarity networks have in common are cooperation and mutuality (over competition),
individual and collective well-being (over profits), economic and social equity (over social
oppression), ecological responsibility, democracy and diversity (MILLER, 2010)