IRIS, Inter-European network of ethical and solidarity initiatives, bringing together the various networks of economic solidarity (integration enterprises, ethical finance, fair trade, local partnerships and solidarity between producers and consumers, responsible consumption) has been working 2007 with Romania in partnership with a Romanian network, the CRIES (resource Centre for the ethical and solidarity initiatives in Romania), to develop pilot projects for the social economy.

We currently have 8 local action groups in eight major cities in Romania (Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Sibiu, Iasi, Arad, Odorheiu Secuiesc). After a phase of observation and study of good practice in other European countries, these groups will in turn launch several initiatives of their choice (reintegration structures, responsible consumption, ethical finance, CSA, ...).

In this context, we organize the June 11 to 13 a study visit to Strasbourg, where we invite a delegation of thirty people to visit the structures of the social economy to achieve an exchange of knowledge and help them discover Alsatian initiatives of social economy.

Here is the program of this visit :

First day : 11th June

SSE networking, ethical finance and CSA Morning : Meeting with SSE networking organizations Place : Conference room Auberge des deux rives

9:00-10:30 - CRES Alsace

Networking of Social enterprises in France and Alsace

11:00-12:30 - Chambre de Consommation Alsace

Network of protection of consumers and promotion of responsible consumption behaviour 12:45 - Lunch : Cold lunch boxes from Vertuose in meeting room - locally products « fast-food » and catering Afternoon : Example of a farm supported by citizen solidarity and ethical finance Place : Conference room Auberge des deux rives, Breitenheim farm, City hall of Schwobsheim

13:00-13:30 - CIGALES

Support of solidarity economy and farming projects by a group of responsible investors

13:30-14:15 - La NEF Alsace

Ethical bank supporting solidarity economy and local projects

14:15-14:45 - Terres de liens

A solidarity initiative of citizens buying land to support local farmers and young organic farmers settlement 14:45-15:45 Travel to the farm by bus

15:45-16:45 - Jardins de Breitenheim farm visit

Visit of the Farm in consumer supported agriculture, explanation on CSA creation and development 16:45-17:15 Afternoon break with farm products

17:30-18:15 - Semences paysannes

Locally-made seeds to support agriculture independance 20:00 - Dinner : L'essentiel chez Raphaël - locally produced organic food

Second day : 12th June

Social integration enterprises, responsible consumption Morning : Work Integration enterprises and regional network Place : Visit of the enterprises

9:00-10:30 - SISTRA

Industrial subcontracting (packaging, welding, …) and social integration enterprise

11:00-12:30 - ENVIE

Recycling household appliances and integration enter prise

12:45 – 13:45 Lunch : Social integration restaurant Mozaïque (with a presentation of the restaurant by the president)

Afternoon : Responsible consumption initiatives Place : Common room in sustainable building Eco-logis

14:00-15:00 - URSIEA

Regional network of Social integration enterprises

15:30-16:30 - Objectif Climat

Reducing carbon footprints working with institutions, networks and citizen groups

16:45-18:15 - Écoquartiers / permaculture

Responsible, participative environmental building and permaculture 20:00 - Dinner : Traditional « Beerstub » meal in a popular brewery in the center of Strasbourg with special unlimited food and drink : as much as you can eat (and drink) flammekueche and beer

Third day : 13th June

Conclusion, discussions Morning : Conclusion meeting Place : Council of Europe, Agora building, G06

9:00-9:45 - Council of Europe Social cohesion division

Presentation of the division and introduction to the meeting

10:00-13:00 - Debriefing meeting

13:30 - Lunch : Une fleur des champs – locally produced organic food