Argentine co-op movement develops free app for solidarity economy

Under the motto ‘connecting solidarity’, it allows people to search for co-op providers of goods and services

By Anca Voinea via The News.coop

Co-ops in Argentina can now connect with customers and other social and solidarity economy businesses through a free app.

ESSApp, developed by open software co-operative GCOOP, maps co-operatives across the country. Under the motto “connecting solidarity”, it enables people to search for co-op providers of goods and services.

The project was supported by the Institute Mobilising Co-operative Funding (IMFC) and the University of Quilmes. Co-operatives were involved in various workshopson the design of the app, and the project was brought to fruition in a little over a year.

So far, more than 2,000 co-operatives are featured on the interactive map. In addition to finding the nearest social and solidarity economy businesses, users can learn more about each business, find its projects and access contact details.

The advanced search option enables them to look for co-ops by sector of activity or geographic area.

ESSApp also has a dedicated news section and events calendar for users to stay informed about what’s happening within the social and solidarity economy movement.