The two Canary capitals will share the title of Spanish Capital of Social Economy for the first time in 2027, recognising the growth of a sector that comprises 3,516 entities and around 17,000 jobs.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife have been jointly designated as the Spanish Capital of Social Economy 2027. This is the first time that this recognition, promoted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, has been awarded to two cities together.
The Canary Islands' Minister of Tourism and Employment, Jéssica de León, has positively assessed the appointment. She stated, “this distinction reaffirms the roadmap of the Ministry to consolidate the social economy as a strategic axis of employment and economic development in the Archipelago.”
De León added that “this capital status is an opportunity for the social economy to gain the prominence it deserves next year, strengthen collaboration between entities and businesses, and bring to citizens an economic model that generates quality employment, innovation, and opportunities for all.”
In the Canary Islands, the social economy consists of 3,516 entities, including cooperatives, labour societies, special employment centres of social initiative, insertion companies, agricultural transformation societies, social security mutuals, fishermen's guilds, and third sector social action entities. These organisations employ around 17,000 people.
According to data from the Canary Employment Observatory (Obecan), the sector continues to grow and strengthen its presence in the Canary labour market. The minister highlighted that the recognition comes at a particularly positive time for employment in the islands.
Since the beginning of the legislature, unemployment has decreased by nearly 28,000 people. In July 2023, there were 172,483 unemployed, while in May 2026, the figure dropped to 144,598, falling below 145,000 unemployed for the first time in nearly two decades.
Affiliation to Social Security has reached a peak of 962,600 people, with 25,350 more affiliates than a year ago. The Active Population Survey (EPA) places the number of employed at 1.06 million, the highest historical record in the Canary Islands and the first time it has exceeded one million employed. Additionally, the youth unemployment rate stands at 17.35%, the lowest in the historical series.
The Ministry of Tourism and Employment has launched several initiatives to promote the social economy, such as the establishment of the Social Economy Commission of the Canary Islands, the publication of the first Catalogue of Social Economy Entities, the celebration of the I Social Economy Forum, the preparation of the White Paper on Social Economy, the launch of the first University Expert in Social Economy, the approval of the I Canary Strategy for Social Economy, as well as the Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Environmental Distinction and the new Regulation of the Cooperative Societies Registry of the Canary Islands.
The capital programme will include congresses, debates, training, civic activities, and meetings throughout 2027. The aim is to develop a continuous agenda of initiatives that give visibility to the social economy and promote its growth.
For the citizens of the Canary Islands, this capital status represents recognition of the work of thousands of entities that generate stable employment and social cohesion across all the islands. It also opens the door to new training and employment opportunities in a sector that champions innovation and inclusion.
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