Socio-economic Models of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) & Value Creation
If the concept of socio-economic model is fairly widespread within the civil society sector, the ability of CSOs to master and navigate the various pillars that constitute it (human capital, resource hybridization, partnerships, and alliances) still requires support.
Furthermore, civil society actors tend to have a managerial understanding of socio-economic models, focusing on the challenges of resource mobilisation before developing a strategic vision that serves the CSO’s mission.
Lastly, CSOs’ socio-economic models are often misunderstood in their specificity. This is similiar to the mechanisms through which civil society creates and dissiminates societal value.
What are the knowledge needs?
How can we enhance understanding of the specificities of socio-economic models and the value created by CSOs?
How can we strengthen the intellectual and strategic toolkit of civil society actors to better manage the three key drivers of socio-economic models?
How can we move beyond institutional or financial evaluation aimed at justifying activities, and develop processes that reveal the created value, facilitate discussions, and collectively build strategies?
How can we enhance understanding of the specificities of socio-economic models and the value created by CSOs?
Replay of the conference « Socio-economic models as drivers of societal and democratic innovation » (16/20/2023)
A working group
Launched in 2021, our working group brought together 53 civil society actors, partners from the civil society sector, and researchers to define the priority knowledge needs of CSOs, identify knowledge gaps, and sugget avenues to enhance understanding in these areas.
This working group was led by experts:
- Elena Lasida, Professor at the Catholic Institute of Paris (ICP), Director of the Master’s program “Solidarity Economy and Market Logic”
- Laurent Gardin, Co-president of ChairESS HDF, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Head of the Master’s program in Local Development and Solidarity Economy at the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France
- Yannick Blanc, President of The French Institute for Civil Society Organisations (IFMA), Administrator at la Fonda
Find the complete list of contributors in the working group’s report.
Replay of the conference « What societal value do CSOs create? » (16/11/2022)
A knowledge-based support programme
Eager to address the knowledge needs identified by participants in this working group, we launched a call for participatory research expressions of interest entitled “Socio-Economic Models and Value Creation – Enhancing CSOs’ Strategy and Dialogue with Their Partners” in 2022.
7 projects have been selected and will conduct their research for a period of 24 months.
Replay of the launch webinar for the Call for Expressions of Interest in Research: “Socio-Economic Models and Value Creation”
A collaborative digital library
By the end of our working group, we have compiled a digital library containing up to 600 scientific and professional references.
Resources
Our YouTube playlist on Socio-economic models and value creation
View our videos on this thematic area
Playlist accessible here
De la connaissance empirique aux savoirs académiques
Article pusblished in jurisassociations n°682 p.25-26 (2023)
Accessible here
Modèles socio-économiques et création de valeur
Selection of resources compiled by the Institute
Accessible here
We thank our partners for their support
The French Institute for Civil Society Organisations
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