A committed player to the Social & Solidarity Economy

What is the social and solidarity economy (SSE)?

The social and solidarity economy (SSE) encompasses all businesses, cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations that put people before profit. It pursues a social or collective purpose, with democratic governance and an economic model that prioritises reinvesting profits in the development of its activities.

At Upcoop, the social and solidarity economy is part of our DNA. As a Scop (cooperative and participatory society) and mission-driven company, we fully embody this model. Our raison d'être, "sustainable cooperation for social and local purchasing power", concretely illustrates our contribution to this virtuous economy: creating solutions that combine social utility, territorial anchoring and positive environmental impact.

What are the principles of the social and solidarity economy?

The social and solidarity economy is based on a set of common principles that distinguish it from traditional economic models.

Social or collective utility goal

Social and solidarity economy structures exist to meet collective needs: social inclusion, access to culture, sustainable food, territorial cohesion. Economic activity is not an end in itself, but a means of improving the lives of individuals and communities.

At Upcoop, we offer solutions that support responsible food, sustainable consumption, and the purchasing power of beneficiaries.

Democratic governance

The social and solidarity economy is based on the rule of "one person, one vote", which guarantees equality among members in decision-making. This model reinforces transparency, promotes active participation, and fosters a culture of shared trust within organisations.

At Upcoop, our employee-members elect our Board of Directors every four years and are fully involved in strategic decisions.

Limited profitability and reinvestment of profits

In the social and solidarity economy, financial surpluses are not used to remunerate external shareholders, but to consolidate the collective project. Profits are reinvested to create sustainable jobs, improve services and multiply social and environmental impact.

Local roots and local development

Social and solidarity economy structures encourage short supply chains and local partnerships. Their local roots generate non-relocatable jobs, support local businesses and help strengthen social ties in the areas where they are permanently established.

Our Upcoop solutions direct spending towards responsible businesses, restaurants and local producers to promote the local economy.

Solidarity and cooperation

Organisations join forces to pool resources, develop innovative projects and collectively respond to social or environmental challenges, with a focus on the common good rather than competition.

With the Upcoop Foundation, we work to promote equal opportunities and autonomy for vulnerable people through access to quality food, education and culture.

Sustainable development

The social and solidarity economy is an economy that respects the planet. Its players implement responsible practices: reducing emissions, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management. It thus actively participates in ecological transition and sustainable development.

What is the role of the social and solidarity economy in France?

The social and solidarity economy is deeply rooted in French history and is now a pillar of the national economy.

The roots of the social and solidarity economy

The roots of the social and solidarity economy go back a long way. They emerged wherever women and men formed bonds of solidarity to respond to economic or social challenges. As early as the 14th century, we find forms of collective organisation, such as the Jura fruit cooperatives, based on the pooling of resources.

In the 19th century, the SSE took on a new dimension with workers' mutual societies, associations and the first cooperatives that emerged from the industrial revolution. Inspired by craft and worker solidarity, these structures were built to "raise the condition of the people", according to Charles Gide.

This centuries-old dynamic was finally officially recognised by the law of 31 July 2014, which established the social and solidarity economy as a fully-fledged economic sector , ranging from historic mutual societies to today's cooperative start-ups.

The social and solidarity economy in figures

Today, the social and solidarity economy represents a significant part of the French economy. According to the Union of Employers in the Social and Solidarity Economy, it accounts for nearly 2.7 million employees in 222,000 establishments, or approximately 10.5% of total employment in France and 14% of private employment.

Recognition and impact of the social and solidarity economy

The social and solidarity economy promotes solidarity, social innovation, economic democracy and inclusive employment, while contributing to ecological transition and territorial cohesion. The creation of a specific deputy ministry reflects its political importance. Between 2023 and 2024, employment in the SSE grew by +1.4%, compared with +0.7% outside the SSE, i.e. twice as much according to the National Observatory of the SSE.

A social and solidarity economy embodied by cooperative governance

At Upcoop, governance is the concrete expression of our membership of the social and solidarity economy. We guarantee a model that is democratic, transparent and inclusive by giving each employee-member an active role in decision-making.

A SCOP (cooperative and participatory society)

Our parent company is wholly owned by its employee-members. The principle of "1 person = 1 vote" applies and ensures genuine fairness of treatment. Strategic decisions are made in line with the reality on the ground. This direct involvement is a source of motivation and pride: employee-members are the first to benefit from the value they help to create.

Our employee-members involved in all decision-making bodies

Our employees are represented in all governance bodies: the Board of Directors, internal committees and operational committees. The Board of Directors, elected by employee-members every four years, embodies this desire to give everyone an active role in the management of the Group. This way of working fosters a genuine culture of participation and consultation, where co-construction and transparency strengthen trust between teams and management.

Our mission committee and our employees at the heart of strategic decisions

As a mission-driven company, Upcoop relies on a mission committee composed of both employees and external stakeholders (experts, partners, representatives of civil society). This committee ensures the implementation of our raison d'être: "sustainable cooperation for purchasing power with social and local utility". This mechanism embodies our desire to closely link cooperative governance, corporate strategy and societal impact in the context of a social and solidarity economy.

Promoting the social and solidarity economy model

The social and solidarity economy can only have a lasting impact if it is collectively supported by both public decision-makers and actors in the field.

Strong alliances with social and solidarity economy actors

Upcoop works on a daily basis with other pioneering organisations in the social and solidarity economy, such as Crédit Coopératif, Biocoop and the Vyv Group. These partnerships strengthen the visibility and credibility of the cooperative model in public debate. They enable the development of synergies: tailored financing solutions, promotion of responsible consumption, shared social innovations. Cooperation between committed players multiplies the collective impact in the service of local communities and citizens.

Our values promoted through our membership of the UN Global Compact

Upcoop is actively involved in promoting and defending the social and solidarity economy model through its strong participation in networks and representative bodies in the sector. We are members of the CGSCOP (General Confederation of Cooperative Societies), supporters of ESS France, ESS Forum International, ICOSI (Institute for International Social Cooperation) and the Mouvement associatif. These collective commitments enable us to contribute to debates, inform public policy and promote the role of cooperative enterprises in the economy.

At the same time, our membership of the United Nations Global Compact guides our actions in terms of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). It reinforces our initiatives in favour of gender equality, climate action, inclusion and well-being at work. Together, these commitments demonstrate our desire to uphold the values of the social and solidarity economy, both in France and internationally.