Building a People-Centered Economy

World Social Forum Belem, Amazonia, Brazil “ Another World is Possible, Another Economy is Necessary” Over 100 workshops on Building a Solidarity Economy, 100,000 participants. Major focus on social economy as alternative model of development.

National Hub Research  Advancing the Social Economy for Socio- economic Development (2009) Tremblay Public Policy Trends and Instruments (2010), Tremblay Public Policy Research Facilitating Committee Draft analysis of next steps to strengthen the policy environment in Canada

Social Economy Research Engagement with stakeholders on how to strengthen the movement and the public policy environment nationally and in regions Report to Summit on People Centered Economy to provide evidence-based input to mapping a common policy agenda Next steps to be determined

Social Economy Research Mixed economy in Canada has always included private, state and “social economy” (non profit, credit union, coop, social enterprises, CED) production of goods and services for human and community benefit. Social economy represents over 12% of GDP and an even larger contribution to sustainable livelihoods and employment.

Social Economy Research Economic downturn, social challenges and climate change have spurred interest in both reforming economic regulation generally and need for alternative models of development that integrate social, economic, environmental and human needs, using the social economy…a people-centred approach.

Findings  Importance of SE in producing unique socio-economic outcomes  Comparative strength of those outcomes when united movement exists  Movement of SE into policy and discourse mainstream where united movements exist  Importance of intra-sectoral collaboration to building effective infrastructure, inputs and outputs

Findings “the level of development that the sector achieves is directly correlated to the nature of the supportive environment, the strength of the sector infrastructure, and government commitment toward enabling the development of this environment and infrastructure through policy, programming, and funding.” p. 35 from Adeler, 2009.

Findings Major initiatives globally Social Economy Europe US White House Office of Social Innovation, $50 m Fund, CED financing from Stimulus UK Third Sector initiative Latin American “Economia Solidaria” initiatives Asian Solidarity Economy Network, including Social Enterprise initiative in China African SE initiatives (Mali, Senegal, S. Africa)

International Trends Growing government recognition of role of SE in socio-economic development Cross government (horizontal and vertical) policies to support the SE with legislative, regulatory and program measures Unified structures of the SE by stakeholders to advance common development and policy interests Promotion of role of SE in integrated solutions to inter-related social, economic and environmental issues

International Trends Enabling measures for access to finance for SEs Inclusion of SEs in SME program eligibility Tax, charitable and regulatory recognition (e.g. CICs UK, LC3s US) Procurement advantages Support for enterprise development Support for role of SEs in sustainable development, poverty reduction-social inclusion, community and regional development

Canada Lagging behind other jurisdictions since cancellation of Federal SE Initiative Stimulus/economic action plans making little use of SE/CED sector – deficit reduction impacts now Charitable and regulatory barriers Major gaps in access to finances Lack of recognition of SE in economic and social policies An invisible sector contributing more to GDP and employment than e.g. mining or autos

Canada: Issues Citizen engagement and support Fragmentation Knowledge gaps Economic inefficiencies Policy influence Finance and development capacity Common identity Movement building as a common agenda

Canada BUT Growth in Social Enterprise and Coop Development Food sovereignty and fair trade movements Provincial linkages to poverty reduction Quebec and Manitoba govt. strategies Tax credit and financial investment programs Municipal strategies (Montreal, Edmonton) Renewable energy initiatives (Ontario)

Canada Formal democratic network in Quebec (le chantier de l’economie sociale) CED Network with informal cross sector coalition in Manitoba Emerging networks in other regions (Nunavut, Atlantic Canada, Ontario) National and provincial cooperative development advances Provincial non profit social enterprise initiatives

Lessons for Our Work Higher end advances linked to united movement of SE actors (“Big Tent”) Key components in building that unity: Building identity and self recognition based on shared values Credible public face related to public interest (not self interest) – “valeurs ajoutees” Purposeful inclusion of indigenous peoples, labour, social and environmental movements Dialogue with governments on the outcomes that can be achieved, co-construction of policy

Lessons for Our Work Key components in building that unity: Democratic structure with networking opportunities Stakeholder led learning and research functions Democratically controlled finance and development (technical assistance) functions Active market development activities (e.g. procurement) Linkages to reform of state (e.g. social welfare, taxation) and private sector

Recommendations National and Provincial Roundtables Communication/Engagement Strategy Space for Grass Roots Participation Stakeholder-led Research and Learning Initiatives Government Outreach and Policy Development Sector-owned Finance and Development Models Market Development Initiatives

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