La Scic, une coopérative encore en devenir

<p>The public-interest cooperative (abbreviated as SCIC in French) has existed for three years, and there are now 55 that are officially recognized. This article examines the current situation and attempts to assess these multi-stakeholder enterprises in practice. While public-interest cooperatives have tended to be mainly active in two areas –community and personal services and the environment– the author notes a diversification in activities and a new organization by product chains. It also appears that most officially recognized public-interest cooperatives have benefitted from a previous structure, either because they resulted from its transformation or received its support. There have, however, been company failures, and the main difficulties encountered are listed in the article. The Public-Interest Cooperative Network (IRS) provides opportunities for exchanges and working together and should in time develop policies and programs for fostering the growth of public-interest cooperatives.</p>