The social economy in Québec An important dynamic in the development of communities

An integral part of a pluralist economy Building new solidarities The Quebec experience: the evolution of an integrated model of development of the social economy The social economy

100 years ago, Alphonse et Dorimène founded the first credit union «La caisse n’est qu’un prélude, bien d’autres organismes suivront, englobant tous les besoins matériels susceptibles d’être mieux satisfaits par l’association coopérative.» Alphonse Desjardins, 1910

Today social tourism, recreation, culture, housing, agriculture, workplace integration, adapted enterprises, daycare…

… homecare, recycling, new technology, fair trade, community media and even more !

Emerges from a collective process and rooted in community ‘ Values added’ business Primacy of people and sustainable development over capital Socially profitable, financially viable, Context for creation and innovation The chacteristics of a social economy enterprise

Emerges from a collective process and rooted in community

‘ Values added’ business

Primacy of people and sustainable development over capital

Socially profitable, financially viable,

Context for creation and innovation

7 151 entreprises 3 210 coops, 3941 associations 124 302 jobs 2 of the 4 biggest private employhers: credit unions and daycare centres 17,2 billion annual sales 8% of the GNP of Québec A major player Social economy enterprise;

7 151 entreprises 3 210 coops, 3941 associations

124 302 jobs 2 of the 4 biggest private employhers: credit unions and daycare centres

17,2 billion annual sales 8% of the GNP of Québec

Three keys to understand the longevity . Deep roots in the community . Technical support and coaching . Public policies adapted to the realities of the social economy Businesses that last … 65 % survival after 5 years compared to 35% for private businesses

Three keys to understand the longevity

. Deep roots in the community

. Technical support and coaching

. Public policies adapted to the realities of the social economy

Revitalising neighbourhoods and villages … with the social economy!

Services to the population at all stages of life: perinatal, daycare, recreation, collective transport, homecare for the elderly, funeral cooperatives Exploitation of local resources: forestry and agricultural cooperatives, recycling businesses, culture, etc. An important contribution to the development of communities

Services to the population at all stages of life:

perinatal, daycare, recreation, collective

transport, homecare for the elderly,

funeral cooperatives

Exploitation of local resources:

forestry and agricultural cooperatives,

recycling businesses, culture, etc.

Collective response to social and material needs: housing coops, community media, school cooperatives, solidarity financing, etc. Socio-professional insertion and integration into permanent jobs for marginalised groups Contribution to the dynamics of community economic development Local and regional capacity to respond collectively to social and material challenges

Recognition of a pluralist economy A mix of three types of economic activities: . Public (government) . Private . Social (civil society)

A mix of three types of economic activities:

. Public (government)

. Private

. Social (civil society)

Contribution to the renewal of our model of development : • A change from government’s traditional silo approach • Challenges private sector to increase social responsability • Mobilises civil society to more involvement in economic development in an integrated perspective (social, environmental and cultural dimensions) • Develops a pluralist democracy Pluralist Economy

Contribution to the renewal of our model of development :

• A change from government’s traditional silo approach

• Challenges private sector to increase social responsability

• Mobilises civil society to more involvement in economic development in an integrated perspective (social, environmental and cultural dimensions)

• Develops a pluralist democracy

le Chantier de l’économie sociale (1996) le Réseau d’investissement social du Québec (1997) le Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre de l’économie sociale et de l’action communautaire (1998) l’Alliance de recherche universités-communautés en économie sociale (1999) An integrated model of development of the social economy

le Chantier de l’économie sociale (1996)

le Réseau d’investissement social du Québec (1997)

le Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre de l’économie sociale et de l’action communautaire (1998)

l’Alliance de recherche universités-communautés en économie sociale (1999)

From local to global.. The social economy: A global movement!

Pour une économie plurielle et solidaire