Carole Delga and ESS Leaders Highlight Cooperatives' Vital Role in Regional Economic Development

During the official conclusion of the International Year of Cooperatives, Carole Delga, President of Coop FR, reiterated the strategic importance of cooperatives as core contributors to regional economies. She emphasized that cooperative business takeovers should become a standard option for company transfers, given that over 500,000 businesses will require new ownership in the coming decade. Delga described cooperatives as a forward-looking, sovereign economic model that creates sustainable jobs, generates local value, and strengthens territorial resilience in times of geopolitical and supply chain challenges. Cooperatives currently serve key sectors including agriculture, mobility, housing, and health.

Regions across France have actively supported the social and solidarity economy (ESS), mobilizing approximately 1.2 billion euros annually, with a significant share benefiting cooperatives. Yet, Delga noted a resource gap compared to European counterparts and urged improved State-Region collaboration on long-term economic strategies to further empower the cooperative sector.

Complementing this, the regional chamber of social and solidarity economy (Cress) in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is engaging political candidates ahead of elections to promote ESS solutions addressing local needs, especially in rural areas. Co-president Nicolas Planchon highlighted ESS’s substantial economic footprint, employing 2.5 million people and contributing 10% of France’s GDP despite less than 20 billion euros in public support. He stressed the sector’s focus on sustainable, community-oriented activities spanning healthcare access, energy transition, urban renewal, and housing.

To reinforce ESS organizations’ capabilities amid funding uncertainties, a partnership with the Lyon bar has initiated legal workshops, fostering resilience and sustainable development.

Together, Delga’s remarks and Cress’s advocacy underscore cooperatives and the broader ESS as pillars for territorial well-being, economic democracy, and social cohesion in France’s regional development landscape.