Caroline Véran
Published on 7 August 2023
A look back at the milestones of an ambitious project
In February 2023, 91.7% of the members of Up Coop (formerly chèque-déjeuner, a long-standing player in the social economy) voted to become a Scop à mission.
Behind this landmark decision lies an in-depth project initiated two years ago, with the support of Croissance Bleue. Each stage of the project was thought through, debated and discussed, leading the organization to re-question, adjust and realign its most structuring and strategic elements. Deciphering :
1/ Adjust CSR policy and governance
The challenge: to reaffirm the strategic dimension of the CSR approach, which is still too often confused with non-financial performance reporting.
The approach: integrate the CSR approach into Group strategy. Create a cross-functional steering committee involving the Board of Directors, the Chairman’s office, management, the Works Council and employees.
2/ Re-questioning and opening up the cooperative model
The challenge: convince members of the benefits of becoming a “mission-driven company” when you’re already a democratic and socially responsible cooperative.
The approach: collectively challenge ourselves and make the cooperative model a lever for accelerating social and environmental transitions.
3/ A raison d’être and mission objectives to take us further
The challenge: to leverage the Group’s social and solidarity-based positioning as a lever for economic and social progress.
The approach: by formalizing a raison d’être and mission objectives, Up integrates all its internal and external stakeholders, and guides its business model to align “purchasing power” and “responsible consumption”: “Cooperating sustainably for purchasing power with social and local utility”.
4/ Federating European subsidiaries
The challenge: irrigate all European subsidiaries, develop Up’s social and solidarity-based positioning throughout Europe.
The approach: the French parent company sets the course, while the subsidiaries adapt the approach in line with their territory. At the same time, Italy became Sociéta Bénéfit.
It’s a journey that has given rise to some fascinating debates, based on respect, sincerity, listening, solidarity, social dialogue and democracy… all values that are the strength of the cooperative model.
A huge bravo to Up for its values, its audacity, its commitment and its ambition. Thank you for involving me in this human and entrepreneurial adventure. It gives meaning to my job and my commitment. #rse#ess#entrepriseamission#funding#governance