Seeking new autonomy channels through inclusionary policies: social cooperatives in Uruguay

Abstract

How can the State stimulate the integration of the most vulnerable social sectors ? This article analyzes public policies concerning social cooperatives implemented by the current Uruguay government. The study addresses the challenge of generating inclusionary policies without reinforcing harmful mechanisms that impede a case-specific long term program that can lead to real autonomy for these cooperatives. In a country in urgent need of developing its own thinking that conciliates theory with reality, the methodology consisted in: 1- exchanges and discussions between the multidisciplinary team from the university's incubator program and the people responsible for the policy on "Social Cooperatives" at the Ministry of Social Development. 2- the incubation work itself with three social cooperatives.