On March 3rd , the members of the Higher Council of the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) gathered at the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the invitation of Véronique Louwagie, the Minister Delegate in charge of Trade, Crafts, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and the Social and Solidarity Economy of France. During this meeting, Véronique Louwagie announced three key priority areas for her roadmap on social economy policies, based on the priorities she has set for her entire ministerial portfolio: “simplify, protect, and support.”
The Minister Delegate aims to systematically integrate the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) into the simplification plans, including the draft law on simplification. Regarding “protection,” she announced the creation and implementation of a monitoring unit focused on the failures of SSE enterprises and organizations, led by Maxime Baduel, Minister Delegate for the SSE.
Finally, the minister announced work on the creation of a satellite account for the SSE, involving the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), as well as measures to facilitate the takeover of ailing enterprises by the SSE, encourage cooperation between the chambers of commerce and the Regional Chambers of the SSE (CRESS), and improve communication on SSE structures and the recognition of Social Utility Solidarity Enterprises (ESUS). She also plans to launch, in April, an assessment of SSE’s financing, followed by a conference of funders in June.
A Method for Developing the National SSE Strategy
The national SSE development strategy that France must present to the European Commission by the end of 2025 will undergo extensive consultation with stakeholders, including local authorities, local actors, and SSE networks. The minister has announced unprecedented resources to ensure this consultation is carried out on three levels: a national component, a local component, and a citizen consultation.
Gilles Mirieu de Labarre, from the Directorate General of the Treasury and former Deputy at the High Commissioner for the Social and Solidarity Economy and Social Innovation, will lead this consultation process, which is expected to result in the publication of the strategy in November 2025.
Speech by Benoît Hamon, President of ESS France
Benoît Hamon, president of ESS France, emphasized the “surviving” nature of the Higher Council of the SSE, as an essential space for the co-construction of public policies dedicated to the SSE, especially after having been threatened with abolition by a parliamentary initiative.
He pointed out that the presentation of the ministerial roadmap comes at a difficult financial context, following the adoption of a budget that will undoubtedly weaken structures. He also emphasized the importance of the international context, marked by the threat of a trade war and the increase in defense budgets by various states, which could be to the detriment of economic and social budgets.
In this context, Benoît Hamon stressed that the SSE is an asset for the Nation, as it contributes to the general interest and strengthens national cohesion and unity. He thanked the Minister for announcing the creation of monitoring units, which responds to a key demand from ESS France.
The President of ESS France also welcomed Véronique Louwagie’s approach to designing an SSE development strategy that involves all levels (national, local, and citizen), insisting that this strategy should transcend governments and be long-term. He also called for this plan to be considered as a milestone as significant as the 2014 law, especially after years of intermittent and haphazard state engagement with the SSE.
