Taken as a whole, the ‘social economy’ refers to all the activities and organisations which participate in collective entrepreneurship, defined as working within the following set of guiding principles :

	As its main purpose, to serve its members or community rather than simply generate profits and maximise financial returns ;
	To be self-run and independant of government;
	To integrate in its day to day management ways and means to include clients, workers, and members in decision-making ;
	To promote and defend the priority of people and work over capital in the redistribution of surplus or revenues ;
	To base activities on the principles of participation, empowerment and collective and individual responsibility.

Any incorporated non-profit organisation and any cooperative which participates in the above noted principles of ‘social economy’ may make a request for funding from the Social Economy Fund of the CDEC CDN/NDG.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the summary of the Investment Policy before completing their request for funding.

Summary of the Investment Policy (PDF)