Start'in ESS: entrepreneurship in the SSE and ecological transition

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Every year since 2017, the Start'in ESS scheme has been supporting students and young graduates (less than 2 years old) from Paris and the Île-de-France region, with projects that want to get involved, undertake and innovate in the Social and Solidarity Economy field, to lead them step by step towards professionalization.

Start'in ESS support consists of a series of group workshops led by professionals, covering the various stages essential to launching an entrepreneurial project in the SSE sector (choosing a legal status, building a budget and business model, communicating, pitching your project, etc.). Each year, the 15 winning projects benefit from a promotional effect that enables them to develop their collective skills.

Since the 2021-2022 edition, resources have been pooled between the Student House and theClimate Academy, which provides a workspace within the Student House. Support is also extended to the themes of ecological transition through masterclasses (carbon footprint, sobriety, zero waste, etc.) and networking linked to this ecosystem. Last but not least, some prizewinners participate fully in the Academy's activities, taking part in various events (workshops, events, conferences, etc.).

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SSE: what is it?

SSE (SOCIAL ANDSocial and Solidarity Economy) today includes more than 210,000 establishments representing 2.6 million jobs, or 10% of the total number of jobs in France. Present in a wide range of sectors, these structures have a variety of statuses (associations, cooperatives, mutual societies, foundations, social and/or solidarity-based enterprises), but claim the same principles: defense of the general interest, democratic governance and limitation of wage disparities.

Adapted to the challenges of our time and to the need forinnovation, the SSE offers many possibilities to young people who, during or after their student life, want to undertake something different. Whatever your profile, whatever your sector of activity, you can set up an SSE structure as long as it has a social and/or environmental impact and places people at the heart of its activity. 

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Every year, the Maison étudiante de la Ville de Paris, in collaboration with the Académie du Climat, launches a call for projects. For 1 month, you can submit your application. After pre-selection and auditions, you may be one of the 15 winning projects selected by a jury of experts and professionals!

Start'in ESS is open to all projects, whether you're at the idea, test or well-developed stage. When selecting projects, we'll be looking at..:

• The project's sensitivity to the values of the Social Solidarity Economy.
• The positive social/environmental/climate impacts of your project.
• Your desire to professionalize your project.
• The innovative nature of your project.
• The impact of your project on the Paris region.
• Your motivation.

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Who can participate?

All students and recent graduates (less than 2 years) from Paris and the Île-de-France region, with a project in the Social and Solidarity Economy and committed to tackling climate issues.

Start'in ESS is specially designed for students and young graduates who want to get involved, undertake and innovate in the field of theSocial Solidarity Economy and have a positive impact on the climate. Set up to encouragestudent entrepreneurship.

This scheme supports project leaders through a variety of events:

• Weekly group workshops over several months, led by experts in various fields (social and solidarity economy, communication, governance, financing, sobriety, carbon impact, etc.).
• A financial grant from the City of Paris and the possibility of an additional grant from one of the scheme's partners.
• The provision of a collaborative workspace at the Climate Academy for prizewinners throughout their support.

The Start'in ESS scheme also encourages exchange through meetings with other young entrepreneurs !

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Discover the winning projects over the years!

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Co-sponsoring institution

Partners