Montpellier Métropole, a land of possibilities for the Social and Solidarity Economy

Information updated on 27/12/22

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.

“We support the momentum of the Social and Solidarity Economy, which is flourishing here,” says Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier and president of Montpellier Métropole. He made a point of being present at the SSE Meetings held at Domaine de Grammont on November 15.

And for good reason: the Social and Solidarity Economy actively contributes to sustainable territorial development by promoting social, energy, and ecological transitions. That was the focus of these meetings.

Also present were Antoine Détourné (General Delegate of ESS France, the French Chamber of the Social and Solidarity Economy), André Ducournau (President of CRESS Occitanie), Marie-Thérèse Mercier (Regional Council), and Caroline Dufoix (Montpellier City Council, in charge of the Social and Solidarity Economy and the reduction of substandard housing in the city of Montpellier).

It was an opportunity to demonstrate that not all territories are the same in terms of initiatives and commitment. The SSE “benefits from political support here,” adds Michaël Delafosse. In addition to the Occitanie Region’s creation of the Réalis cluster, the first business incubator in France dedicated to the Social and Solidarity Economy, Montpellier Métropole has also supported the creation of Halle Tropisme, a SCIC (Community Interest Cooperative Company) that provides project leaders in the cultural and creative sphere with open-space workstations and shared or private offices, among other activities.

A different type of entrepreneurship

“The planets are aligned in Occitanie,” observes André Ducourneau.

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 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.

“We need companies that think about the future,” adds Michaël Delafosse.

All of this will benefit Montpellier Métropole, a land of possibilities for the Social and Solidarity Economy.

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

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