The Social and Solidarity Economy
The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) has a major role to play in favor of just transition, to strengthen the resilience of territories and the well-being of their inhabitants. This economy is characterized by the primacy of people and social or environmental objectives over profit, by democratic or participative governance, and by the principles of cooperation and mutual aid. This makes it particularly well adapted to the ecological and social transformations of our systems, redefining wealth and building sustainable, democratic and inclusive societies. To achieve these ambitious goals, it needs to mobilize citizens more broadly, receive greater support and be at the core of major coalitions between private and public players, social classes and countries in both southern and northern countries.
Worldwide
Existing on every continent, the SSE takes on different forms according to each country’s history and culture, but is not always represented at the institutional and political levels.
However, what these different forms do have in common is that they place the economy in a local context, as a means of development that is genuinely geared towards local people, and not as an end in itself. Many countries around the world have recently adopted a legislative framework or support policy for the SSE, or are considering doing so. Local governments have defined proactive policies to give the SSE a place.
↘ 2023 was a momentous year in terms of
international recognition for the SSE, with
the adoption by the United Nations General
Assembly of the resolution entitled “Promoting
the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable
Development”, on 18 April. This resolution
provides an official definition of the SSE and
recognises its contribution to the achievement
and localisation of the Sustainable Development
Goals.
This recognition follows the adoption in 2022 of
the International Labour Conference Resolution
on Decent Work and the SSE, and the OECD
Council Recommendation on the Social Solidarity
Economy and Social Innovation in the same year.
In Europe
The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is a reality in Europe, accounting for 19.1 million jobs in the European Union (EU), 9% of the EU’s working population and 10% of European GDP, according to a report by the European Economic and Social Council. A quarter of all companies created in Europe are SSE companies. The sector’s potential is increasingly recognised by the different Member States, but only certain countries have adopted a comprehensive legislative framework for the SSE (France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).
↘ On 27 November 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation designed to provide guidelines for Member States on developing favourable social economy framework conditions.
In France
A wide range of activities and legal forms
SSE organizations cover a wide range of activities, backgrounds, sizes and projects. Everyone benefits collectively and on a daily basis from the services and products produced by the SSE sector, often without even realizing it: personal and business services, medical and social services, agriculture, energy, transport, construction, industry... all human activities are represented by:
- cultural and social associations
- employee cooperatives
- integration structures
- mutual health and insurance companies
- commercial companies
- sports clubs
- agricultural cooperatives
- cooperative banks
- medico-social foundations...
↘ The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is a form of enterprise and economic development that brings together organisations seeking to reconcile cooperation with economic, social and environmental performance.
The French Law of 31 July 2014 laid down a broad legal framework for these organisations.
They are partnerships, not capital companies, and operate collectively and democratically, giving priority to the local area. Their objectives are either non-profit (1901 association law) or limited profit (SCIC - cooperative society of collective interest, SCOP - cooperative and participatory company, SCESS - commercial SSE society...).
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Chamber for the Social and Solidarity Economy is an association representing SSE organisations in the region.
The 18 CRESS associations in France including overseas France derive their legitimacy from the Law of 31 July 2014 on the SSE, which recognises their role and missions.
They are all members of ESS France, the French Chamber for the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Facts and Figures
In France 1
- 164,540 companies
- 222,331 employer organisations
- 2.4 million employees, 68% of whom are women
- 14% of private employment
- 21 million volunteers
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2
- 19,840 employer organisations
(10% of private establishments) - 3rd region in France in terms of the volume of SSE jobs
- 246,065 employees (16% of private-sector employment)
- 1.2 million volunteers
- €6.3 billion in gross payroll