Encouraging social investment
At France Active, we provide financial support to associations and social and solidarity economy (SSE) enterprises that carry out projects with a strong social and environmental impact. We help them fund their ideas, support their growth, and stand by them when they face challenges. Together, we think big and act with solidarity.
Social investment: why?
Associations and businesses in the social and solidarity economy (cooperatives, organizations promoting integration through economic activity, ESUS, etc.) create jobs, strengthen social ties, revitalize communities, and promote local and sustainable resources. They help build a society that is open to others and adapts to the changes of this century.
In a challenging economic climate where funding sources are drying up, it is essential to enable social and solidarity economy organizations to fulfil their commitments and to provide them with the resources to launch and grow their ideas. To this end, France Active promotes solidarity-based investment to help these organizations overcome hurdles and scale up their operations. This initiative is made possible by the European Investment Fund through the InvestEU program.
A goal: financing social commitment
With the support of our public and private partners, our goal is to remove barriers to investment for SSE actors by:
- raising their awareness of investment challenges,
- supporting the development of their investment plans to grow their businesses through enhanced guidance, dedicated resources, and training,
- and offering financing based on patience and expected return thresholds that are compatible with their social impact objectives.
“In the face of the ecological transition, we are dealing with a new equation. Shareholder governance, which demands high returns and short time horizons, cannot meet this challenge. We need capital that adapts to this reality—capital that is patient and capable of financing social and ecological innovation.”
Timothée DUVERGER
Research engineer at Sciences Po Bordeaux,
Project manager for the social and solidarity economy and sustainable developmente
€52.3 million in social investments as of 2025
Our services and solutions:
- provide bank loan guarantees,
- protect people and assets by limiting or eliminating personal guarantees and commitments,
- provide support during the fundraising process.
In addition, our advisory and training services focus on what entrepreneurs can do to limit the risks associated with their projects and thus ensure their long-term sustainability.
81% of the start-up projects we support are still in operation after 5 years.
Democratizing investment with solidarity assets
France Active launched the “Actifs Solidaires” initiative in 2023. The initiative aims to accelerate investment in social and solidarity economy enterprises. Above all, it empowers beneficiaries to strengthen their social and environmental impact, thereby helping us achieve our collective ambition.
Specifically, Actifs Solidaires includes:
- Support in developing a business plan that raises awareness of investment challenges.
- Connections to relevant partners, resources, and dedicated training programs.
- Secure and patient financing that aligns with the supported social impact project.
