
Launched as part of the Recovery Plan, the incubator is the single entry point for social entrepreneurship in Wallonia. This incubator offers social economy businesses free, tailored group support programmes, a network, specialised training services and a co-working space at La Menuiserie (Liège). The new digital platform (www.i-es.be) brings together all the tools needed for social economy entrepreneurship in Wallonia.
"In Wallonia there are currently 6,700 social economy businesses, representing 11.7% of all salaried employment."
What is the social economy?
Simply put, it's a different way of doing business, one that prioritises people. The focus is on being useful to society by generating local, sustainable and meaningful jobs. Most profits are reinvested into the project, with participatory governance.
iES! Let's reinvent the economy
The mission of this new incubator is to strengthen and promote the development of the social economy in Wallonia, by providing comprehensive support for economic actors in the sector. With its ecosystem, the social economy incubator aims to build a fairer and more responsible society by supporting, training and fostering connections between social economy stakeholders. iES! aims to demystify this economic model, enhance its visibility and give companies the tools to operate differently.
By supporting social entrepreneurs, iES! is helping to create an economy that is fairer in terms of wealth redistribution, one that is more environmentally-friendly and people-focused, with projects rooted in societal and local needs. This social economy movement can structurally change society by increasing the presence of responsible, solidarity-based companies, tackling current and future challenges and putting people at the heart of decision-making.
www.i-es.be, a new digital platform for social economy entrepreneurship
A digital platform specially designed to promote social economy entrepreneurship in Wallonia has also been launched. It is a digital gateway dedicated to project leaders and companies operating in the social economy. It provides a comprehensive, centralised information hub on those involved in the ecosystem and a shared calendar of useful initiatives for social enterprises. In addition, it offers a resource guide and tools on various topics to help users launch and develop their projects.
Free co-working for businesses
Since mid-March, iES! has been based at La Menuiserie, a transition-focused business centre in Liège offering free co-working spaces for social economy businesses. To join this inspiring, welcoming workspace, simply send an email request to info@i-es.be.
Are you considering a cooperative or social economy project? Contact them! info@i-es.be
Find out more
Go to the Starting a social economy business page