France Embraces Social and Solidarity Economy with Major November Events

In November 2025, France is spotlighting the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) through significant events designed to promote human-centered economic models. Saint-Martin is hosting its first-ever Social and Solidarity Economy Month, organized by ESS France Outre-mer, featuring about thirty scheduled events. The initiative aims to showcase this sector, which in Saint-Martin consists primarily of associations (86%) among 82 enterprises. Activities include workshops like the Repair Café hosted by Les Mioches Carmont on November 4, solidarity construction projects in schools, and sessions on participative governance, emphasizing social utility over capital accumulation.

Meanwhile, Dijon will welcome around 4,000 participants and over 200 speakers to the 10th edition of the Journées de l’Économie Autrement on November 28-29. This free event will tackle contemporary economic, social, and environmental challenges with a broad international and geopolitical focus. The program is segmented into six thematic pathways addressing issues from the transformative potential of ESS ideas to crisis responses and future labor trends. New venues such as the Parvis Saint-Jean and Maison des Sciences de l’Homme will host sessions, including an immersive exhibition on the future of work, developed in partnership with Apec.

Together, these events underline France’s commitment to advancing economic models centered on solidarity, collective futures, and addressing social and environmental challenges through inclusive discourse and community engagement.