The Social Economy English-Speaking Network (SEEnet) is an RDN initiative to promote the participation of Québec province’s English speakers in the social economy. Built on economic, social, cultural, and environmental objectives, the social economy rebalances the priorities of economic development with a focus on the value of people over profits.
SEEnet strategically mobilizes community knowledge, leverages available resources, and builds capacity for English-speaking communities across the province to implement innovative projects. We offer workshops, consultations, and mentoring to both cooperatives and not-for-profit organizations for long-term growth. By building strong connections and province-wide partnerships, SEEnet helps advance innovative projects that increase economic and social opportunities within English-speaking communities.
Since SEEnet’s launch in December 2021, we’ve done the following:
- Hosted nine online workshops with more than 120 participants registered
- Offered one-on-one consultations with nearly 20 organizations and groups on their social economy projects
- Hired a second social economy officer (for a total of one full-time and one part-time officer)
- Launched the Social Economy Mentorship-Internship program in April and completed two rounds of placements
- Surveyed participants and regional organizations for topics of interest for future training sessions
- Presented SEEnet’s projects and initiatives to the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d’expression anglaise and dozens of provincial organizations in May 2022
CURRENT ONGOING SOCIAL ECONOMY INITIATIVES
- Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI): Creation of a strategic plan for ongoing social economy initiatives (cooperative bakery, worker housing, drop-in daycare)
- Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA): Development of a social economy component for a Gaspesian Way tourism project to promote the work of English-speaking artisans
- Highland House: Support with the creation of business plan for a home for special-needs adults in Montérégie
- Radical Resthomes: Support with exploration of various social economy structures for Montreal-based senior housing organization
COMPLETED SOCIAL ECONOMY INITIATIVES
- Bar Milton Parc Co-op: Montreal-based bistro-bar cooperative, first draft of business plan created and project referred to the CDRQ
