SUD Region Partners with HEC to Launch ESS Sud Program for Social Economy
The SUD Region and HEC launch ESS Sud to support social economy actors through training and mentorship.
Key Points
- • The SUD Region and HEC have launched the ESS Sud program.
- • Eligible social economy structures can apply until September 12, 2023.
- • The program lasts 12 months, providing training and individualized support.
- • Applicants must have a revenue between €500,000 and €3 million and at least 2 years of experience.
The SUD Region of France has officially partnered with HEC to initiate a groundbreaking program called ESS Sud, designed to bolster the social and solidarity economy. Announced on July 15, 2025, the initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to social economy structures over the course of 12 months, offering both individual mentorship and collective training led by HEC professors.
Applications for the program are open until September 12, 2023, targeting social economy entities projected to have revenues between €500,000 and €3 million in 2024. To qualify, candidates must possess a minimum of two years of operational experience and a significant local presence within one of the six departments of the SUD region. The program particularly emphasizes support for projects that exhibit strong growth strategies and social or environmental innovation.
As part of the regional project 'mon projet d'entreprise' (MPE), ESS Sud represents a concerted effort to nurture and scale up impactful social ventures, facilitating networking opportunities among participants, thus creating a robust community dedicated to social enterprise.