November is Social Economy Month across Quebec. This is a special time during the year to learn more about this business model and to highlight social economy initiatives in our regions.

From November 1 to 30, 2020, the First Nations Social Economy Regional Table (FNSERT), in collaboration with the Chantier de l’économie sociale as well as the province’s 21 Pôles d’économie sociale wish to recall that choosing social economy is choosing to give meaning to our jobs, our businesses, our purchases and our involvement.

“As Social Economy Month begins, we wish to remind citizens across Quebec that they too can have a positive impact on society by promoting social economy, says Béatrice Alain, Executive Director of the Social economy worksite. By choosing to support social economy, whether by working, creating, getting involved as a volunteer or administrator or by buying from a collective business, every Quebecer can participate in the expansion of a model that puts people at the heart of its decisions, rather than profit at any cost. If we are to change the world, the economy must change too.”

To give meaning to our jobs and businesses

Social economy is on the rise in Quebec, with approximately 11,200 collective enterprises, which together have a turnover of $ 47.8 billion, employ nearly 220,000 people and involve 90,000. volunteer administrators. This movement will continue to grow if Quebecers decide to rely on collective entrepreneurship for their jobs, but also for their start-ups.

An advantageous model for both employer and entrepreneur, the social economy puts the values of democracy, equity and solidarity at the core of its operations. In addition, collective enterprises have, on average, better staff retention and remain in operation longer. Choosing the social economy is choosing to give meaning to the workplace.

To give meaning to our purchases and our involvement

With this new edition of Social Economy Month, Le Chantier also wishes to invite Québec’s population to buy from collective businesses to give meaning, both economically and socially. Buying from a social economy business is investing in an organization that gives back to its community and supporting a social mission. By the way they consume, Quebecers have the opportunity to have a positive impact on their communities.

Likewise, getting involved with social economy enterprises helps promote a business model that focuses on people. Many collective entrepreneurship organizations rely on the support of many volunteers and administrators to carry out their activities. Getting involved in a social economy enterprise therefore also means giving meaning to one’s time by participating in a social project that is beneficial to the living environment.

Activities offered across the province

Throughout Social Economy Month, Social Economy Poles across Quebec will offer a variety of activities to raise awareness and promote the social economy. Individuals working in the social economy or who have an interest in collective entrepreneurship will have the opportunity to learn more thanks to a rich program: panels, lunch-conferences, workshops, webinars and much more!

This year, the First Nations Social Economy Regional Table proposes three activities:

Launch of the “Changing the World, One Tool at a Time” Toolkit, in Partnership With the New Pathways Foundation

Date: Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Description: The New Pathways Foundation, in partnership with the FNQLEDC, the FNQLHSSC and M361, is launching an awareness-raising toolkit on the social economy for First Nations youth in Quebec. This kit includes a video featuring three indigenous social economy initiatives.

The toolbox and the video will be published on November 4 on the toolbox of this website.

Feeding our communities: First Nations and Inuit Food Security Forum

This activity will be held online, on the Zoom platform.

Date: November 16 to 18, 2021, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Description: During the forum, you will be able to discover 12 food security initiatives implemented by First Nations and Inuit communities in Quebec and Canada. Several initiatives and social economy enterprises will be honoured throughout the event.

For more information, consult the event page and register now!

Rendezvous of Culture with the Social Economy

This activity will be held online, on the Zoom platform.

Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2021, from 8:45 to 10:30 AM

Description: The cultural sector is a genuine pillar of the social economy for the First Nations and for all communities in Quebec. Yet, cultural organizations face many challenges in terms of funding, workforce retention and management of material resources. The Rendezvous of Culture with the Social Economy invites players in the social economy and culture to reflect on these issues as well as on avenues for collective solutions.

For more information, consult the event page and register now!

To find out about upcoming activities, visit the Social Economy Month Facebook page.

About the First Nations Social Economy Regional Table (FNSERT)

The FNSERT is a regional concertation structure coordinated by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC). It was created in 2016 to promote the social economy as a model of socio-economic development for Indigenous communities in Quebec. It brings together social economy partners and enterprises with the common goal of promoting and developing collective and social entrepreneurship (social economy) among the First Nations of Quebec. The FNSERT is part of a national network composed of the Chantier de l’économie sociale and the regional social economy poles.

For more information on Social Economy Month, visit mois-es.com/en.