Short economic and solidarity circuits

We especially know the short circuits in the food. But can this concept apply to other areas? And what link with the social and solidarity economy (ESS)?
The ESS Lab is a think tank, a think tank dedicated to the social and solidarity economy. In recent years, he has been studying the concept of "short circuit". According to the Lab, it does not apply only to the agricultural world and to food, but would be much broader. Explanations with Françoise Bernon, General Delegate of the ESS Lab.

Why have expanded the concept of short circuit?
Françoise Bernon : The short circuit, as we usually hear it, seemed too restrictive. Of course, the AMAPs (Associations for the maintenance of a peasant agriculture) are short circuits, which work well. But, at the ESS Lab, we think they are not the only ones. Including in the diet. And there are some in other areas as well. Thus, the inhabitants' co-operatives or the solidarity finance are economic approaches in short circuit. They are part of the same process. This is also true in other sectors than housing and finance, such as energy, culture, trade ... That is why we wanted to broaden the definition of the "short circuit", proposed until now by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Read also :

What is an AMAP? There are around 2000 associations for the maintenance of a peasant agriculture in France. We tell you more about AMAP.

Quèsaco "solidarity finance"? This other way of saving seduces more and more French people. Yes, but what is it?

At the ESS Lab, you talk about "economic and solidarity short circuit". What is it all about?
FB : Our reflection on the subject has resulted in a definition of the economic and solidarity short circuit (CCES). It is a form of economic exchange that values ​​the social bond, cooperation, transparency and equity between the actors of the exchange. It creates a dynamic in which all these actors (producer, distributor, user, consumer ...) are involved in time. They interact and develop virtuous ecosystems that contribute to transformations in society. In a CCES, the entire economic system is taken into account. Namely: social relations, quality of work, how to consume, environmental impact ...

In these short circuits, is the number of intermediaries limited?
FB : No. In our opinion, the notion of intermediary does not make the quality of the short circuit. Not even the distance between them or the number of kilometers traveled by a good or a service. Because there can also be North-South exchanges (fair trade) or in open data * for example. On the other hand, each of the intermediaries present in the exchange must meet these criteria of cooperation, transparency and equity. And through these short economic and solidarity circuits, the goal is citizen welfare and the creation of solidarity bonds. They are based on the same principles as the social and solidarity economy.

How do you intend to develop these short economic and solidarity circuits?
FB : We created a charter in 2015 to promote short economic and solidarity circuits (CCES). Since then, thirty actors sharing these values ​​have signed it. Our goal is to federate a community of CCES, so that they exchange good practices. And so to multiply these initiatives throughout the territory.