The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) represents at least 11.5% of all salaried employment in the Montpellier Métropole area. Given the large number of SSE initiatives, that figure is expected to increase.
A different type of entrepreneurship
You can feel the Social and Solidarity Economy momentum. As part of the national “Territoires à VivreS” (food supply territories) program, 25 local stakeholders in the greater Montpellier area are experimenting with the implementation of a common food fund, inspired by the idea of a Social Security system for food. Among the participants are L’Esperluette-Celleneuve, La Cagette, Vrac & Cocinas.“The planets are aligned in Occitanie,” observes André Ducourneau.
The Oc’Consigne Scop (cooperative company), with its innovative solution for reusing glass bottles, has set up operations in a building in Lattes with the help of Montpellier Métropole. The initiatives are growing. Caroline Dufoix mentions two others, also receiving support: the association Recycle & Vous, which helps people regain employment by refurbishing and repairing out-of-use bicycles; and Montpellier Rebuilding Center, a platform for reusing building materials.
While the SSE is a response to societal and environmental issues, it is also a powerful lever for economic growth. The Social and Solidarity Economy represents at least 11.5% of all salaried employment in the Montpellier Métropole area. That percentage is expected to increase.
In 2023, Occitanie Region will launch a specific aid program to support companies with their digital, environmental, and social transformation projects.
“We want to make Occitanie the first positive economy region,” comments Marie-Thérèse Mercier.
All of this will benefit Montpellier Métropole, a land of possibilities for the Social and Solidarity Economy.“We need companies that think about the future,” adds Michaël Delafosse.