Marketplace for the Functional Economy and Cooperation

The Agglomeration of Saint-Quentin is strongly engaged in ecological and social transition through its Climate Air Energy Plan, its Local Food Strategy and the development of a Social and Solidarity Economy strategy. While these planning tools already exist or are currently being updated, there is a need to accelerate implementation through concrete actions linking ecological transition and social economy.  

The main challenge is to encourage cooperation between traditional businesses, social enterprises and local stakeholders in order to create concrete, multipartner initiatives with a sustainable business model. The territory already has a number of repair, reuse and circular economy initiatives, but these actors often lack visibility and do not work together.  

The project aims to create a dedicated marketplace and cooperation hub bringing together actors from the social and solidarity economy around a shared project. This place would combine:

• Sale, donation and exchange of second-hand goods;
• Repair services and workshops;
• Training opportunities linked to repair professions such as sewing, welding, furniture upcycling and appliance repair;
• Cooperation between businesses, social enterprises and public stakeholders;
• Development of a viable and sustainable economic model for reuse and repair activities.  
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The project would contribute to reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging more responsible consumption patterns through reuse, repair and second-hand purchasing. It would also strengthen local cooperation, create employment opportunities and support the development of the social economy ecosystem.  

The ambition is to use a European cooperation framework to exchange good practices, test solutions on a small scale, involve local actors and develop a robust methodology for implementing a long-term local marketplace model.  

Looking for Lead Partner and Partners.