Support from a social economy consultancy agency

Do you have a cooperative or social economy business project? Your project's raison d'être is to meet the needs of society, rather than aiming for profit? Benefit from the expertise of a social economy consultancy agency. This structure can support you in the start-up phase of your project, as well as in the more advanced stages. 

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  • What is a social economy consultancy agency?

    Consultancy agencies are approved structures working to support social economy businesses at every stage of their project development. 

  • What is the social economy?

    The social economy is a different way of doing business, one that prioritises people. The main objective is to make a positive contribution to society by creating local, sustainable and meaningful jobs. Most profits are reinvested into the project, with participatory governance.

    What are the 4 principles of the social economy?

    The social economy is an alternative to the conventional economy and is based on 4 principles:

    • the purpose of the service is to members and the community rather than for profit;
    • the primacy of people and labour over capital in the distribution of profit: social economy businesses reinvest their profits into the development of their activities to increase their social impact, rather than paying their shareholders; 
    • management independence in relation to the public authorities;
    • a democratic decision-making process: when strategic decisions are made at the General Meeting, each member is entitled to one vote, regardless of the amount they have invested in the company's capital. This is the one person, one vote principle. 

    These 4 principles are included in the decree governing the social economy. 

    What is a cooperative?

    Cooperatives offer an alternative to conventional businesses. They aim to serve their members or the community rather than generate profit. In this context, the capital needed to run the business is only a means to an end and not an end in itself. 

    By definition, a cooperative is an autonomous association of individuals who voluntarily come together to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a collectively-owned business that is run democratically.

    Find out more about their characteristics, and the incorporation and approval formalities on the FPS Economy website.

  • They advise and support social economy businesses in starting up, developing and becoming more professional.
    At the start-up stage, you can call on the services of a consultancy agency to: 

    • Define the foundations of your project
    • Identify your customers and prospects
    • Build a viable business model
    • Draw up a financial and business plan
    • Design the governance structure
    • Draw up a communications plan
    • Define a financing strategy
    • Submit applications for approval and subsidies
    • Carry out a diagnosis
    • Build tools
    • Draft your articles of association

     

    Under certain conditions, business start-up support can be financed by business vouchers.

  • Who can benefit from the services of a social economy consultancy agency?

    Non-profit organisations, companies and cooperatives with a social purpose, foundations, mutual societies or project leaders wishing to develop a social economy business, i.e. producing goods and services whose primary purpose is to meet the needs of society rather than aiming for profit. Profits are reinvested back into developing your business to increase your social impact, rather than paying shareholders. Democracy and participatory dynamics are important principles for you. 

  • Which consultancy agencies are approved in Wallonia?

    There are currently 7 approved consultancy agencies in Wallonia:

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    Crédal conseil
    Einstein Business Center
    Rue du Bosquet 15a
    1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert
    accompagnement@credal.be
    +32 10 48 35 90

     

    Febecoop.jpgFEBECOOP
    Clos Chanmurly 13
    4000 Liège
    fwb@febecoop.be
    +32 4 229 22 81

     

    Propages.jpegPropage-s
    Rue de Namur 47
    5000 Beez
    info@propage-s.be
    +32 81 26 51 41

     

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    SAW-B
    Rue de Monceau-Fontaine 42/6
    6031 Monceau-sur-Sambre
    info@saw-b.be
    +32 71 53 28 30

     

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    Step Entreprendre
    Rue de Steppes 24
    4000 Liège
    info@stepentreprendre.be
    +32 4 227 58 89

     

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    Syneco
    Rue des Glaces Nationales 144
    5060 Sambreville
    info@syneco.be
    +32 71 71 25 00

     

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    Financité
    Rue de l'Académie 53
    4000 Liège
    info@financite.be
    +32 4 277 04 30

     

  • What is SPW's role in relation to social economy consultancy agencies? 

    We are responsible for the administrative follow-up of the approval of these structures and the aid granted to them. 

    Find out more

    In addition, our role is to monitor compliance with the rules in force. It is essential to follow the legal framework, as failure to do so could result in sanctions. You should be aware that checks can be carried out at any time, so don't hesitate to check the regulations and make sure that everything is in order to avoid any problems.

    The work of the Inspectorate is governed by the decree on economic, employment and research inspection and the decree on retraining and retraining.