Launch of New Economic Cooperation Hub and Social Economy Forum Highlight ESS Growth in France

On November 19, 2025, the Pôle territorial de coopération économique (PTCE) was inaugurated in Tours, marking a significant step in strengthening the social and solidarity economy (ESS) in the Indre-et-Loire department. This initiative unites multiple enterprises and networks dedicated to the ESS, a sector accounting for 12% of local employment with 26,652 jobs, 17,447 of which are within Tours Métropole Val de Loire. In total, there are 2,165 employer establishments tied to the ESS in the department, representing 11% of all establishments. Two thirds of ESS workers in the area are women, and the leading sectors include social action (42%), financial activities and insurance (14.9%), and education (13.8%).

Meanwhile, in the Vendée region, 11.7% of public and private establishments belong to the ESS sector, which operates under different principles from conventional business models. A forum dedicated to the social and solidarity economy is scheduled for November 27, 2025, in Saint-Jean-d’Hermine to promote awareness and collaboration. Key organizers like Audrey Allard and Ninon Claude emphasize the sector's commitment to addressing social needs and ecological transition. The forum will feature diverse participants including community radios, football clubs, and social integration enterprises, all focused on democratic governance and equitable profit distribution.

These developments in Tours and Vendée underscore the growing importance of the social and solidarity economy in France, highlighting its focus on social well-being, gender diversity, and sustainable economic practices. The launch of the PTCE in Tours and the upcoming forum in Vendée represent efforts to consolidate and expand this vital economic sector through cooperation and community-oriented governance.