FR IN YOU ARE : CANDIDATE JOURNALIST PROVIDER A FREE AND COMMITTED GROUP A SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE STRATEGY SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYONE Home > A free and committed group > The social and solidarity economy Social and solidarity economy Built on a cooperative basis, the Up group is one of the major players in the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), a sector of the future that combines modernity, innovation, societal role and sustainable development. The term Social and Solidarity Economy is used to designate a set of companies and associations whose internal functioning and activity are geared more towards social or environmental added value than towards financial profit. The ESS is represented by the following four main families: Cooperatives, Mutuals, Management associations and Foundations. These structures adopt a democratic and participatory mode of operation and strictly regulate the use of profits, which cannot be used for individual enrichment purposes but are systematically reinvested. Within each structure of the social economy, the sharing of power and added value is considered in a fair way. HOW DOES ESS WORK? In France, SSE today represents around 10% of GDP and 12% of private jobs. Adopted on July 31, 2014, the SSE law clearly defines the legislative framework for SSE and allows this specific type of business to develop fully. The social economy is based on the following founding principles: Freedom of membership: no one can be forced to join or remain a member of a social economy structure. Individual non-profitability: this principle does not prohibit the constitution of financial surpluses, but it prohibits individual appropriation. Democratic management: strategic decisions are taken in general assembly according to the principle of “one person = one vote”. Collective and social utility: a structure of the social economy is necessarily at the service of a collective project and not of a project carried out by a single person in his own interest. For example, the employees of cooperative production companies unite to jointly value the fruit of their labor. La mixité des ressources : les ressources de ce secteur sont soit privées (coopératives et mutuelles), soit mixtes (associations). Les organismes de l’économie sociale sont indépendants des pouvoirs publics, mais ils peuvent être reconnus comme interlocuteur privilégié dans la mise en œuvre de politiques d’intérêt général (emploi, santé, développement local, citoyenneté, solidarité Nord-Sud, etc.) et avoir droit en conséquence à des subventions, des aides spécifiques à l’emploi ou des avantages fiscaux. Le groupe Up répond aux principes de l’ESS : son management et sa gouvernance sont régis par les principes coopératifs de la maison-mère, qui se traduit par une implication forte des salariés-sociétaires dans les décisions stratégiques du Groupe. LE GROUPE UP : LE SUCCÈS DU MODE COOPÉRATIVE Créée en 1964, Up (ex-Chèque Déjeuner), la maison-mère du Groupe, entre plus précisément dans la catégorie des sociétés coopératives, un statut impliquant qu’elle est soumise aux impératifs de profitabilité des entreprises mais repose sur un fonctionnement démocratique et participatif. La société coopérative et participative est la seule coopérative dont les membres associés sont les salariés. Majoritaires, ils détiennent au minimum 51% du capital social. Présente dans tous les secteurs d’activité économique, elle évolue sur le secteur concurrentiel. Le partage du profit s’opère de manière équitable : une part est versée à tous les salariés sous forme de participation et d’intéressement, une part est attribuée aux salariés associés sous forme de dividendes, et une part est allouée aux réserves de l’entreprise. Impartageables et définitives, les réserves contribuent tout au long du développement de la coopérative à consolider les fonds propres et à assurer sa pérennité. Created in 1964, Up is 100% owned by its employees and has no external shareholders. Employees take part in strategic decisions and elect the Board of Directors. The latter appoints the Chairman from among its members: Catherine Coupet is the current Chairman and CEO of the Group. In 53 years of existence, the Up group has only had three CEOs. Present in 17 countries in 2017, the Up group continues to bring its model to life, promoting the cooperative values that have built its sustainability and independence. The Mont-Blanc Meetings Created in 2005, the association Les Rencontres du Mont-Blanc (law 1901) was born from the desire of the managers of companies in the Social and Solidarity Economy to come together to co-build projects reconciling social, civic and environmental efficiency. and economical. His mission ? Provide proof by example that it is possible, thanks to the Social and Solidarity Economy, to undertake differently, with a global perspective of sustainable development. The association Les Rencontres du Mont-Blanc organizes several regular events: - biannual events in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (France) during which SSE leaders from around the world meet to take a stand on major international issues; - continental events, the aim of which is to work for the recognition of SSE and the promotion of social and solidarity enterprises all over the world. What is a scop? 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