On November 5th, the Regional Hotel was the scene of a significant event for the social and solidarity economy (ESS) in Marseille. Agnès Rossi, Regional Advisor delegated to the social and solidarity economy, presented in the presence of Denis Philippe, president of the Regional Chamber of ESS enterprises, an ambitious strategy aimed at making the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region a model in this field. This initiative, which plans an investment of 96 million euros over the entire term, aims to energize the ESS by supporting enterprises and promoting sustainable and inclusive practices.
On November 5th, Marseille was the scene of a significant event for the social and solidarity economy (ESS) with the presentation of the new regional strategy. Agnès Rossi, Regional Advisor delegated to the social and solidarity economy, in the presence of the president of the Regional Chamber of ESS enterprises, Denis Philippe, unveiled an ambitious plan to make Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur a model in terms of ESS. This initiative aims to support the creation and development of social and solidarity enterprises while addressing contemporary challenges, such as the climate emergency.
A plan of action for 96 million euros
The Sud Region is committed to nearly 96 million euros during the entire term to simplify the lives of actors in the social and solidarity economy. This substantial budget aims to boost the economic development of the territory while supporting various structures such as cooperatives, associations, mutuals, and foundations.
An economy that employs more than 173,000 people
In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the social and solidarity economy is not just a concept; it is a reality affecting more than 173,000 employees and nearly 12,000 enterprises. These figures demonstrate how much the ESS has become an indispensable economic pillar for the region. Through this new strategy, the goal is to strengthen this impact by proposing synergies with the traditional economic sector.
A strong commitment for a sustainable future
The region actively wants to position the social and solidarity economy as a driver to meet the many challenges of tomorrow, notably the ecological transition and growing social needs. ESS could thus be the ideal lever to provide solutions to current issues, by promoting more sustainable and responsible economic models.
Four strategic axes to guide action
This strategy is divided into four main axes that will serve as the foundation for upcoming actions:
- Strengthen the impact of the ESS on economic, social, and ecological levels.
- Encourage interactions with the traditional economy by integrating the values of ESS into various key sectors.
- Position the ESS as an innovative response to challenges related to population aging, especially in rural areas.
- Establish clear governance of the ESS in collaboration with the State to ensure the effectiveness of the services provided.
Support for ESS enterprises
In 2024, 402 ESS enterprises will benefit from support through the regional program “My business project”, thus contributing to a supportive dynamic aligned with the defined ambitions. More than one million euros will be specifically allocated to help these enterprises grow and thrive.
A vision for the future
This support plan reflects a desire to transform the region into a true model of social and solidarity economy, capable of addressing major societal challenges. By putting in the necessary financial and human resources, Marseille aims to become an example to follow for other territories seeking innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
- Date of the event: November 5
- Key speakers: Agnès ROSSI and Denis PHILIPPE
- Total investment: 96 million euros
- Primary objective: To make the region a model of social and solidarity economy
- Number of enterprises: Nearly 12,000 enterprises in the ESS
- Employment figures: More than 173,000 employees in the ESS
- Strategic axes: Strengthening economic, social, and ecological impact
- Support for enterprises: Program “My business project”
- Fields of action: Ecological, social, economic, and demographic transition
