« Clarity and credibility of solidarity finance – European challenges »
Findings of the « Fineurosol » European Survey
8:30 RECEPTION
Reception of participants over breakfast
9:00 OPENING
Mrs Marie-Hélène GILLIG, Chairwoman of Finansol
9:15 - 11:00 PLENARY MEETING
Introduction: Mrs Geneviève BESSE, Employment department, European Commission
Moderator: Mr Philippe FREMEAUX, director of edition of “Alternatives Economiques”
Counterpoint: Mr Eric FOUQUIER, deputy director of Théma (institute of studies)
Stage 1: Why and how can we differentiate solidarity savings from traditional savings? Challenges and constraints of an international label for solidarity savings.
The FINEUROSOL study which was conducted in 2006 identified the variety of solidarity savings practices on a European scale. What may be concluded from this study? What criteria distinguish solidarity savings from traditional savings on a European scale?
Contributors:
Mrs Françoise RADERMACHER, Fineurosol researcher
Mrs Mathilde Mandonnet, Finansol director
Mr Giovanni ACQUATI, chairman of INAISE, formerly chairman of Mag 2
11:00 - 11:15 BREAK
11:15 - 12:15 PLENARY MEETING
Stage 2: How can we assess the efficiency of solidarity finance channels?
The FINEUROSOL study was used as a basis to define European indicators. What are they? How can they be implemented? How can they raise people’s awareness and clarity of solidarity finance on national and international scales?
Contributors:
Mrs Françoise RADERMACHER, Fineurosol researcher
Mr Allan BUSSARD, secretary general, The Integra Venture
Mr Adelphe De Taxis du Poët, in charge of social economy service, Caisse des Dépôts
Mr Benoît GRANGER, professor with Advancia
12:15 - 12:30 CONCLUSION FOR THE MORNING
Mrs Mathilde MANDONNET, Finansol director
Mr Bernard BAYOT, director of Réseau Financement Alternatif
Mrs Isabelle LOHISSE, secretary general of FEBEA
12:30 - 13:45 LUNCH – MEETINGS
13:45 - 15:45 WORKSHOPS :similarities and differences in Europe: what potential is there for cooperation?
Workshop 1: massive lobbying in Europe
Moderator: Mrs Marie-Hélène GILLIG, chairwoman of Finansol
Recording secretary: Mr Jean FREBOURG, in charge of lobbying for Finansol
Social innovation supported by solidarity finances requires greater visibility on a European level. For this, it is crucial that the issue of recognition with European institutions should be tackled. This recognition will only be achieved through lobbying actions. These actions should be targeted and conducted jointly. Methods, objectives and restrictions are to be determined. Workshop will provide the opportunity of defining a common framework for the various solidarity finance stakeholders in Europe, so we may have the capacity to present a collective project of representation and suggestions.
Workshop 2: Assistance at the core of solidarity finances
Moderator: Mr. Michel GENET, director of Credal
Recording secretary: Denis Dementhon, project leader for France Active
Support plays a critical part in the success of any project. In fact, it is an integral part of credits granted by solidarity finance advisors. However, conditions for the materialisation of a project are demanding – high costs, significant amount of time required, status of mentors, standardisation or control of support given, difficulties to communicate on its critical function with project leading defenders. With exchanges of European experiences and tools used, this workshop should make it possible to work out together areas to be improved and solutions to be implemented to make support more efficient and improve terms of execution.
Workshop 3: Implementation of European indicators
Moderator: Mr Benoît GRANGER, professor with Advancia
Recording secretary: Mrs Isabelle LOHISSE, secretary general for FEBEA
In our concern to improve knowledge on solidarity finances, it is important that we should be able to assess results of actions conducted, both in quantitative terms (performance of solidarity savings products, number of projects created…) and qualitative terms (social profitability, social innovation, human development…). What already exists in the various countries? How can we refine indicators introduced at the plenary meeting? To what extent will they improve and enhance trust given to this sector?
Workshop 4: Comments on educational communication efficiency
Moderator: Mrs Elizabeth PASTORE-REISS, author of « Le Marketing Ethique”, founder and director of Ethicity
Recording secretary: Mrs Emmanuelle Antoniolli, communication manager with Finansol
Reinforcing the visibility and clarity of solidarity finances requires the determination of an educational communication framework adjusted to the various targets aimed at. A number of practices are being experienced in Europe: what are they? Can they be transferred from one country to the next? Is it relevant to develop European educational tools shared by all various stakeholders? What would be its outlines and terms for performance? On the other hand, it is crucial that we define the degree of information to be disseminated depending on targets – is it necessary to explain in detail the operating modes of solidarity finance channels or should we, on the opposite, generalise information provided?
Workshop 5: Function of public authorities in the development of European solidarity finances
Moderator: Mrs Yaël ZLOTOWSKI, Crédit Coopératif
Recording secretary: Mr Jean DELOUR, Crédit Coopératif
A number of solidarity savings models exist in Europe. They include solidarity employee savings, solidarity-oriented use of unit trusts and mutual funds, interests in the capital of solidarity- oriented firms… What are those having a strong potential for development, both on a national and European level? What is the role of public authorities in this development, both in terms of implementation of an incentive tax system and communication support? How can we introduce, in any country, solidarity savings models which work elsewhere; with what type of support from public authorities?
Workshop 6: What European cooperation for North-South micro credit?
Moderator: Mr Bernard BAYOT, manager Réseau Financement Alternatif
Recording secretary: Ms Emilie Lenormand, Finansol
Solidarity savings are a lever to finance many micro credits in Southern countries. European solidarity finance advisors working in these countries are faced with similar problems. So, the purpose of this workshop is to identify common obstacles as well as successes to determine appropriate and efficient solutions. This workshop will make it possible for North-South micro credit entities to contemplate common actions both concerning their activities and actions of communication on their trade.
15:45 - 16:00 BREAK
16:00 - 17:00 CONCLUSIONS
Summary of workshops: 5’ – 10’ for each workshop (participants: recording secretaries of workshops)
Conclusion for the day and acknowledgements, Mrs Marie-Hélène GILLIG
