Social and Solidarity Economy

The term social entrepreneur has been used in recent years by a growing number of young people who aspire to give a new meaning to their work by putting it at the service of society rather than at the service of a traditional company. This search for meaning often involves the creation of a company, either individual or collective. These companies can be initiated by young people - or not so young - from disadvantaged backgrounds or having had little education, as well as young people who have studied at university or in a business school ...

The term social entrepreneur is relatively recent. It is a new name for the founders of integration companies created in the 1980s and more generally of management associations which combine an economic concern and a social purpose.

The social entrepreneur is one who creates a business and who devotes his economic and financial skills to the good of the local community. However, it is necessary to produce added value to cover all the costs of the social enterprise, and thus sustain it in a competitive market.

However, the activities must in no case be oriented towards the search for financial benefit or any purpose other than the general interest.

It is the will to contribute positively to the resolution of social or environmental problems that must push the entrepreneur to be efficient and to prosper.

The solidarity economy is, for its part, an emerging form of social economy focused on local development initiatives, reintegration and the fight against exclusion. The “Social and Solidarity Economy Company” status is granted to any association, cooperative or other form of business that meets the following criteria:

• Define as the main goal the search for social utility, and not the sharing of benefits.
• Manage the company in a participatory and democratic way between the stakeholders (employees, partners, beneficiaries).
• Limit the profits made, which will then be reinvested in the company.

The company can thus benefit from state or regional aid and can even be credible for private investments. The ideas of social entrepreneurship are numerous and affect all sectors of activity. It is sufficient that the project has a social value, such as:

• Professional integration of people in a situation of exclusion.
• Help for the disabled and people with reduced mobility.
• Access to housing, health or education.
• Biological agriculture.
• Waste recycling.
• And more…

Social entrepreneurship helps create social or environmental value in traditional businesses. It encourages new managerial approaches, in particular those relating to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The success of social and solidarity enterprises depends on the quality of support and contribution of its environment. Indeed, any project requires the effort of several stakeholders. Projects of social interest and solidarity require an increased effort from stakeholders because of the economic, ecological and social challenges they face...