Fatima Bellaredj, general delegate of the General Confederation of Cooperative Societies, CG Scop, first support network for cooperative entrepreneurs, was in Reunion from April 12 to 17 to take stock of the confederation's overseas program, launched three years ago and piloted from Reunion Island. The opportunity to highlight this form of entrepreneurship which takes root in Reunion.
The General Confederation of Cooperative Societies is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year ! "Entrepreneur differently" : such is, more than ever, its watchword in the current three forms of the cooperative model. Scop (Cooperative and participative company), where associated employees are in the majority (51 % of the minimum capital and 65 % of voting rights). SCIC (Cooperative society of collective interest), associating people around a collective project. CAE (Activity and employment cooperative), where salaried entrepreneurs pool management means, accounting, etc. The overseas departments and regions currently have 95 SCOP and SCIC, of which a majority (52) Located in Reunion. Above all, The Department of the Indian Ocean alone represents 93 % of the 2,110 jobs recorded overseas. It was therefore logically that the overseas program was decided (POM) CG SCOP would be controlled from the meeting. The POM's objective is to amplify the creation of cooperatives in the French overseas departments, But also to bring the accompaniment of the CG SCOP to its members overseas. And, historically, Scop and Scic are already well established in Reunion, They need to be energized and multiplied in all overseas territories. This mission was entrusted to an entrepreneur of the movement located in Reunion, Frédéric Sanchez, which has a small specific team. The management of the Pom is installed in the third place La Kour, in Saint-Leu.
The rise of support
The Pom is built to inform, Respond to job creation issues in all sectors, as well as to support cooperative companies in the ecological transition. Since 2021, The increase in POM capacities has improved the management and assembly of financial files, while multiplying training and entertainment. But it was the year 2023 that saw its rise in power with the creation of two posts. Thanks to the recent support of the Overseas Ministry (110 000 €), The program will still be able to strengthen its scope. Furthermore, It fits into a wider approved partnership with the networks involved in the creation of activity in the overseas territories : France Active, Adie and initiative. "The first reason for the overseas program, These are the new requests that come from the territories and to which it is urgent to respond. In the meeting, Historical cooperatives, Like the Worker Cooperative of Reunion (COR), are requested by project leaders. In Mayotte, Several initiatives arrive, like in the Antilles, in Guyana or even in the Pacific ”, explains Frédéric Sanchez.
Of first encouraging results
In 2021 and 2023, Four new Scop and Scic were created in Reunion, And five projects are under development. Seven existing cooperatives in Reunion and a, in Mayotte joined the CG Scop. Redesign work has been carried out with certain cooperatives created alone or poorly accompanied so far and poorly funded. Five cooperatives benefited from the financial tools of the cooperative movement up to € 160,000, which enabled them to raise € 200,000 from France Active Réunion and CEPAC. One hundred and ten partners of the meeting cooperatives of Reunion benefited from training. To which are added information actions with the support of the Regional Chamber of the Social and Solidarity Economy (CRESS), Participation in CCI Réunion forums and the development of a presence on social networks ? It is in this context that Fatima Bellaredj came, From April 12 to 17, Meet local players in the social and solidarity economy and visit emblematic Scop.
«Le Models Cooperatif, This is the business of tomorrow "
A new step opens for the overseas program, whose team will soon be reinforced by the creation of an additional position in order to promote the cooperative model as a business recovery solution.
Meeting Leader : What assessment do you do with your visit to Reunion ?
Fatima Bellaredj : A very positive assessment. The challenge of my visit and the overseas program was first to strengthen the proximity of the link with our members in Reunion. Proximity is a condition of support, to support development projects but also to anticipate the difficulties. With the Pom, We give ourselves the means of this support over time. The results obtained show that the bet we made three years ago was a good bet. The recruitment of Frédéric Sanchez as head of the POM allows us to go further.
Almost half of Reunion cooperative companies belong to the service sector. Can the model apply to all activities ?
Frédéric Sanchez : It is true that services may be easier to lend themselves to the model. But there is already, In fact, A great diversity in Reunion. There is an engineering office, A wooden construction company, industrial activities, craftsmen, A structure combining boutique and craft craftsmanship, etc. Agriculture is also represented. With this diversity, We are also looking to convince communities that SCICs are a solution for the territorial centers of economic cooperation, which aim to develop economic and social projects on a territory by cooperation and mutualisation. The cooperative model, that affects both the economy, au social, to sustainable development, contributes to territorial development.
The cooperative model was focused on the sharing of governance and value between employees. Is it evolving to integrate sustainable development ?
Fatima Bellaredj : For us, the cooperative model, This is the company of tomorrow. It is based on the concern of equity, sharing governance and value. But also on the desire to give meaning to work and to act for the good of the planet. This is what we call the right transition, where employment and social are also issues. For us, Money is a means to act in favor of the necessary ecological transition.
Can a classic company become cooperative ?
Frédéric Sanchez : This case exists, knowing that, in all cases, Creating a cooperative requires first and foremost a very good understanding between employees. There are two ways. The first is that of the entrepreneur who already works in this state of mind and takes the plunge. The second concerns retired entrepreneurs who are looking for a buyer. They are attached to their business, to their employees, in the territory. The redemption and assembly of a cooperative by employees is then a solution. It is the healthy corporate transmission. Employees often think that such a recovery is impossible, Because it would be too expensive for them. But if the will is there, We can support the legal and financial arrangements of such a project, As soon as an agreement is reached on the company's sale price. We have our own financial tools. We have even seen sellers sell their business to their employees to become an employee in turn ! Frédéric Sanchez, Overseas program manager : fsanchez@scop.coop
