The text discusses the connections between peace and solidarity economy, and how the latter, particularly in the form of cooperatives, can contribute to peacebuilding. Peace is a polysemic word, but the discussion surrounding it has recently been focusing on the concept of “liberal peace” as it relates to the activities of (big) business. When peace is understood as a refuge or a safe haven for life, however, the debate opens up to include the question of the importance of peacebuilding efforts by socialized and situated human beings who are able to work, share and live together while creating a safer, more sustainable and dynamic world. Cooperatives and the solidarity economy have a positive influence in all the phases of a crisis: before, during and after a violent conflict. Their characteristics offer significant potential for peacebuilding towards a “positive peace” as understood by Galtung.
