Sn the territory of the conurbation, the social and solidarity economy employs 3,200 people, or more than 19% of private employment. “This is more than the regional average, which is around 16%. And we do not count the number of volunteers, ”notes Osée Kougou, of the Regional Chamber of the Social and Solidarity Economy (Cress). In short, the ESS weighs, but it does not necessarily show. The Agglomeration wanted to give it a shot…
Sn the territory of the conurbation, the social and solidarity economy employs 3,200 people, or more than 19% of private employment. “This is more than the regional average, which is around 16%. And we do not count the number of volunteers, ”notes Osée Kougou, of the Regional Chamber of the Social and Solidarity Economy (Cress). In short, the ESS weighs, but it does not necessarily show. The Agglomeration wanted to give it a spotlight through a forum which saw its first edition Friday, June 16 on the Saint-Louis site.
This meeting offers a showcase for a device of which the Agglomeration is very proud, a platform for participatory contributions unique in the New Aquitaine region. The principle: for each euro paid by an individual via the site jadopteunprojet.com, the community adds one, and the Atlantic Coop a third, by drawing on the revitalization fund dating from its social plan. In 2022, the five projects achieved their objective, with an envelope of 6,000 euros for each one.
Region Bonuses
“It’s a way of getting closer to citizens. There are projects which have strengthened their line and which have reached new people”, points out Pierre-Henri Jallais, vice-president of the Agglomeration in charge of the ESS. The formula has been slightly modified for the second campaign, in progress since May 22, until June 25. The six projects in the running must reach 1,500 euros in donations from individuals to trigger equivalent aid from Coop Atlantique and the Agglomeration. Which will pay 1,000 euros more respectively to the Logis and the Petits Débrouillards.
“It’s a way of getting closer to citizens. There are projects that have strengthened their line and have reached new people”
The Region joins the operation with two boosts of 2,500 euros for L’Œil du Silo and la Belle Étoile, as part of the Neo Terra program, if the 110% target is reached.
The La Douka association is preparing to produce a book based on recipes imported from other continents.
Philippe Ménard/ “South West”
The profile of the projects testifies to the diversity of the SSE. L’Outil en main, which leads workshops for the transmission of know-how, needs equipment to set up an antenna in Saintes. Les Petits Débrouillards want to finance the reproduction of an interactive exhibition on water issues. L’Œil du Silo wishes to extend the storefront of the cultural cooperative with a belvedere. La Belle Étoile, “fertile house” in the valley of the arenas, wants to develop its garden open to the public. La Douka, a collaborative and inclusive kitchen, is preparing the publication of a recipe book. Le Logis, an association that helps with housing and the integration of people leaving prison, is looking to acquire a minibus for its daily activities.
The organizers have chosen to set up this first forum on the Saint-Louis site.
Philippe Menard
Gourmet market and free concert
About forty exhibitors are taking part in the first edition of the social and solidarity economy forum, Friday June 16 at the Saint-Louis site. The first part, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is dedicated to professionals, with workshops on the themes of « corporate social responsibility » and « daring to think of work differently », from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The site opens at public from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a farmer’s market hosted by Le 17 à la ferme and a mobile fanfare for musical entertainment.
