This article proposes and discusses the importance of restating the notions of cooperation and solidarity which give fundamentals and constitute axiological principles for Solidarity Economy, mainly in the field of social affairs. It establishes an overall perspective of solidarity sector in Colombia, identifying the orga- nizational forms, regulatory frameworks, promotion agencies, developing and monitoring and the public policies that strengthen the sector. Within this contextual framework it analyses the Suma Solidaria programme in its territorial component and its presence in the Valle del Cauca during the period 2002-2006. Based on the analysis, it concludes that the conditions of the possibility to strengthen the Solidarity Economy and the fulfillment of their potential high- light the dimension of social identity that identifies the sector.