Microfinance

More... Microfinance includes the provision of financial services to people excluded from the traditional banking system, for those without any regular income or any property rights. Microfinance mainly includes loans, savings, micro-insurance, cash transfers or other credit services. Non-financial support services may also be included.

Social and Solidarity-based Economy

More... Social and Solidarity Economy brings together initiatives that share some key characteristics: a socially useful purpose for an economic project based on democratic governance and ethical management, as well as dynamic development with a local territorial focus and civic commitment (source: Alternatives Economiques). Social economy puts the emphasis on legal and democratic governance; solidarity-based economy on the political project and the necessary mobilization of citizens.

Social Business and BoP

More... According to Muhammad Yunus, social business is a profitable business aimed towards the development of surrounding social groups, which systematically reinvests its profits. The 4 billion people living with less than USD 5 a day in emerging countries are referred as the population at the BoP (Bottom of the Pyramid). According to the theory developed by C. K. Prahalad in the book “Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid”, the size of this potential market represents tremendous economic growth opportunities for multinational companies able to offer better prices for better services to those people.

Social Entrepreneurship

More... Social Entrepreneurship identifies all the companies that combine an economic project with a social purpose and / or participatory governance, and for which profit making is not an end in itself but a means to their social project.

Environment and development

More... Protection of the environment is a key issue for Convergences 2015 as it focuses on several diverse areas: The fight against climate change; Energy and economic activities; Waste upcycling; Sustainable energy supply chain; Policies for sustainable development Subsequently, the idea is to emphasize the debate between the environment and economic growth: on the one hand, what recognition is given by economic impact with respect to the environment? This sector could prove be a real force in development through innovative means (financing, social business etc.). On the other hand, in what ways can economic development take into consideration respect and more so protection of the environment?

International Cooperation

More... The concept of international cooperation describes all cooperation activities with foreign countries, whether by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), bilateral (from one country to another), multilateral (several states organized towards one country) or decentralized (between local authorities).