Assembling Understandings: Perspectives of the Canadian Social

Economy Research Partnership, 2005-2011

Joy EmmanuelCo-op Developer, Researcher, CED

Practitioner

Matthew ThompsonKnowledge Mobilization Specialist with

the Canadian CED Network

Thematic AnalysisOver 350 projects A snap shot of the Canadian Social Economy Examined: research papers, power points,

project proposals, summaries, news clips, ...16 different themes Quantitative and qualitative projectsCollaborative partnerships – academics and

community partners

Mapping the Social EconomyClose to 80 projectsPortraiture, survey,

census, overview, etc.Start to see the shape of

the Canadian SE mosaicDescriptive, exploratoryDefinition key – sets the

parameters and names the criteria used

Quebec strong standard

Qualifying Criteria Organization must carry

on economic activity. Social rules prohibiting

or limiting distribution of surpluses among members.

Have a formal voluntary association of persons and/or of collective bodies.

Democratic governance is the fourth criterion (Bouchard et al., 2006).

Mapping the Social EconomyMapping – challenge no listMontreal studyRegional and local mapsMapping impacts, social capital,

infrastructure, challenges, policies, Methods for mapping – traditional standards

and innovations, too.

Social EnterprisesDefinitions, mappingCase Studies: Fishing for the FutureHow SE address barriers to employmentContribute to revitalizationChallenges and OpportunitiesSuccess factorsMarketing and Financing

Co-operatives and the Social Economy

Mapping the state of the Canadian Co-operative Movement

Case studies: Fogo Island, Quality of LifeSpecific sectors – worker co-ops, housing, Social issues Co-ops and specific populations

Co-operatives and the Social Economy

New ToolsNew Co-op Accounting and reporting practicesMeasuring effectiveness – the “Co-op Index”Measuring the Co-operative Difference

Credit UnionsCo-op Education

Indigenous People and the SEConcentration of Northern Studies – see

cultural clash and new developmentsTop down or community led developmentTraditional practices The mixed economyUrban Aboriginal IssuesLooking Ahead

Reframing economic developmentReclaiming collective memory

Organizational Governance and Capacity

Focus on the internal workings of social economy organizations

Organizational GovernanceIncorporationMembership and Engagement (boards, employees, community roots)Social Accounting and Evaluation

Organizational Governance and Capacity

Organizational CapacityVolunteersEducation and Skills DevelopmentNetworks and Partnerships

Financing the Social Economy

Language and DefinitionsEquity & Equity EquivalentsLoans and Micro-financingGrantsInternally Generated Funds and Internal

CapitalFunding Databases

Enabling and Enforcing the Social Economy through Public Policy

Political Climate in CanadaExisting government tools for supporting the

social economyOverarching Policy FrameworksFunding ProgramsInfrastructure ProgramsProcurement PoliciesEducation, Training, and Capacity Building

InitiativesSectoral Support Programs

ConclusionNew perspective on the state of the SectorNew map, new toolsRegional layeringSolidarity EconomyEmerging field of inquiry – new framing

through SE lensNew courses and programsCED application Contribution to sector