<p>In recent years, paid work has taken on greater meaning for people living with mental illness. Paid work offers the chance to earn a wage, as well as opportunities for improved self- esteem, greater community participation and can reduce the chances of re-hospitalization. Although employment can offer many rewards, access to mainstream employment for people with mental illness remains been difficult as they often face discrimination and a lack of workplace accommodation. One response to these challenges has been the creation of social enterprises as ‘alternative spaces’ of employment for people with mental illness. Social enterprises are organizations with an entrepreneurial orientation whose focus is building social capacity rather than profit maximization. However, relatively little is known about the kinds of organizations that exist for people with mental illness in Ontario. This thesis uses data from key- informant interviews with organizations across Ontario to document the types of social enterprises that exist. The analysis also critically examines the strategies used by organizations to create jobs that are both suitable for people with mental illness, but also conducive to the ongoing success of the social enterprise.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Associations as social economy enterprises are the main focus of this thesis. The theoretical part of the thesis presents the area of social economy and social entrepreneurship, both worldwide and in the context of the Czech Republic. The Czech legal framework for the area of social economy and its associations, as well as local specifics are also described. The discussion follows the principles delineated by Kim Alter. In the empirical part of the thesis, nine case studies of Czech associations - social economy enterprises are analysed with the use of publicly accessible documents. Using these case studies, the analysis shows how each case fulfils the principles of social economy enterprise. The author uses Alter's typology to ascertain, what type of social economy enterprise each of the cases represent: an embedded, integrated or external social enterprise.

107 ABSTRACT The aim of this master's degree thesis is to analyse the situation of people who are in a disadvantageous position on the labour market and because of that belong, pursuant to Act No. 435/2004 Coll., Employment Act, to the group of job seekers, who "require special care by mediation of employment". The author is particularly focused on people with disabilities. The intent is also to inform readers about government subsidies and alternative methods designed to facilitate the position of job seekers on the labour market. This thesis is divided into an Introduction, six Chapters (further divided into subsections) and a Conclusion. It contains a Table of contents, a czech and english Abstract and a List of references and other sources. Chapter One is devoted to the definitions of the "right to work" and the "right to employment" and the obligation to ensure equal treatment of all people exercising these rights. Following that, I mention the legal sources containing the aforementioned rights, first international, then the European and finally the national sources. Chapter Two is subdivided into four subchapters which correspond to the categories of citizens requiring special care by mediation of employment. Subchapter One concerns people with physical disabilities. Included within is the definition...

Pendant plusieurs décennies, les théories économiques néolibérales ont essayé de valider le principe d’un marché global en argumentant que toute activité humaine peut être mieux réalisée au sein du libre marché. Cependant, les différentes crises économiques ont montré que les inégalités se sont accentuées et qu'il n'y a pas assez d'emplois pour tout le monde. La question sociale a principalement porté sur la relation entre le revenu et le travail comme moyen de redistribuer la richesse.Un autre "monde" n'est pas seulement souhaitable mais nécessaire. Dans ce contexte, l'économie sociale et solidaire (ESS), est présentée comme un « modèle alternatif » qui fait face au néo-libéralisme. Ce modèle implique une certaine ambivalence, d’une part, le souhait de mettre au centre des préoccupations le bien-être des personnes et non pas le capital, ce qui signifie qu'il faut trouver une logique de travail différent qui soit en mesure de résister à la pression du capitalisme; et d'autre part, être un palliatif qui contribue à résoudre, à court terme, les problèmes auxquels fait face le système en réinsérant, de diverses manières, encore et encore, les personnes qui ont été exclues du marché du travail, en se basant sur l'acceptation de la relation salariale comme accès aux droits fondamentaux.Face à cela, il y a donc lieu de se demander : quelle est la contribution de l'économie sociale et solidaire à la construction d’alternatives en relation à la question du travail ? Sur la base de cette question et à partir d'une étude des concepts et de l'histoire de l’ESS, cette recherche propose, dans un premier temps, neuf principes qui permettront de différencier l'ESS de l'économie capitaliste. Par la suite, l’étude établi cinq axes d’action liées au travail: la finance solidaire; l’accompagnement et la formation socioprofessionnelle; les mécanismes et réseaux de coopération pour la promotion du travail; le développement local et territorial; et la promotion, la sensibilisation et l'intervention en faveur du travail et de l'emploi.Grâce à une analyse comparative entre le Mexique et la France, l’étude distingue les pratiques spécifiques de l’ESS, avec des études de cas, et les axes d'action déterminés résultant de l'utilisation d'instruments quantitatifs et qualitatives. Ainsi elle cherche à montrer les convergences et les divergences afin d’ouvrir le débat et montrer les défis dans la matière. / For several decades, neo-liberal economic theories have attempted to validate the “all market” principle, arguing that human activities can best realized under a free market system. However, the numerous economic crises have further exacerbated inequalities and have highlighted the lack of employment opportunities for all. In response to this problem, the social question has focused mainly on the relationship between income and work as a form of redistribution of wealth.Therefore, another “world” is not only desirable but necessary. Under this context, the social and solidarity-based economy (SSE) is presented as an "alternative model” to neo-liberalism. This model implies a certain ambivalence, on the one hand, is the desire to place people’s welfare at the centre of the concern and not capital, which leads to the search for a different approach capable of resisting the pressure of capitalism. On the other hand, is to be a palliative that contributes to solve, in the short term, the problems that the system faces by continuously reintegrating by various means, , individuals who have been excluded from the labour market, beginning with the acceptance of the fact that wage relations enable access to fundamental rights.In the face of this, it is worth asking: what is the contribution of the social and solidarity economy to the construction of alternative solutions to the issue of work? Based on this question and by exploring the concepts and history of the SSE, this research first presents nine principles to differentiate SSE from capitalist economy. Subsequently, the study establishes five axes of action related to work: solidarity finance; guidance and professional training; cooperation mechanisms and networks for the promotion of work; local and territorial development; and promotion, awareness-raising and intervention in favour of work and employment.Through a comparative analysis between Mexico and France, the research breaks down the specific practices of the ESS, including case studies, and the principles and axes of action determined by the use of quantitative and qualitative instruments. As a result, it seeks to bring out the convergences and divergences, and open room for further debate and to identify new challenges posed by the matter. / Durante varias décadas, las teorías económicas neoliberales han intentado validar el principio de mercado total, sosteniendo que las actividades humanas pueden realizarse mejor en mercados libres. Sin embargo, las diversas crisis han profundizado las desigualdades y han puesto de manifiesto la insuficiencia de empleo para todos. La cuestión social se ha enfocado principalmente alrededor de la relación ingreso y trabajo como forma de redistribución de la riqueza.Otro mundo no sólo es deseable sino necesario; en este contexto, la economía social y solidaria (ESS), es presentada como “un modelo” alternativo al neoliberalismo, la cual conlleva una ambivalencia, por un lado, el anhelo de poner en el centro de su preocupación el bienestar de las personas, y no el capital, lo que implica la búsqueda de una lógica de trabajo distinta capaz de resistir a la presión del capitalismo; y por otro lado, ser un paliativo que contribuye a resolver, a corto plazo, los problemas que enfrenta el sistema, reinsertando por diversas vías, una y otra vez, a los individuos que han sido excluidos del mercado laboral, partiendo de la aceptación de la relación salarial como acceso a derechos fundamentales. Frente a ello, vale la pena preguntarse: ¿cuál es la aportación de la economía social y solidaria a la construcción de alternativas frente la cuestión del trabajo? Con base en esta pregunta y partiendo de un estudio sobre los conceptos e historia de la ESS, primeramente, esta investigación plantea nueve principios para diferenciar a la ESS de la economía capitalista. Posteriormente, se establecen cinco ejes de acción relacionados al trabajo: finanzas solidarias; acompañamiento y formación socio-profesional; mecanismos y redes de cooperación para el impulso al trabajo; desarrollo local y territorial; y promoción, sensibilización e intervención en favor del trabajo y del empleo. A través de una comparación entre México y Francia, se disgrega dentro del complejo quehacer de la ESS, las prácticas específicas de dicha temática, entretejiendo los casos de estudio, con los principios y ejes de acción determinados, producto de la utilización de instrumentos cuantitativos y cualitativos, para poner en evidencia sus convergencias y divergencias, que abren una ventana de debate y desafíos en la materia.

Au sein des groupements de l’économie sociale, le rapport entre la personne morale et ses membres est un rapport particulier et unique. Cette spécificité tire sa force de l’esprit altruiste et éthique du secteur solidaire. Elle tire sa force aussi des principes humains et financiers qui règnent au sein de ce type de groupement. Par conséquent, on a pu affirmer que le principe phare qui influe le plus sur ce rapport reste celui de double qualité. Ce dernier permet d’associer le membre aux affaires sociales du groupement et de le faire, en plus, participer activement tout au long de son adhésion. Cependant, cette particularité du rapport est menacée par plusieurs facteurs, les uns sont d’ordre interne et liés aux règles de fonctionnement et aux problèmes récurrents du financement des dits groupements et les autres sont externes et plus attachés au libéralisme et la mondialisation des échanges et plus particulièrement la politique européenne axée sur lalibre concurrence au marché face à des sociétés de type capitaliste qui ne cessent d’attaquer les groupements de l’économie sociale pour les banaliser et les faire disparaitre / Within companies of social economy, the relationship between the corporation and its members is a special and unique one. This specificity derives its strength from the altruistic and ethical mind of the solidarity sector. It also draws its strength from human and financial principles that prevail in this kind of companies. Therefore, we could confirm that the guidingprinciple that most affects this relationship is that of a dual quality. This latter allows the association of the member to the social affairs of the company making it, in addition to that, actively participating throughout the process. However, this particular relationship is threatened by several factors. Some are internal and related to operating rules as well as the persistent problems in the financing of the abovementioned companies. The other factors are external and more linked to liberalism and to the globalization of trade and particularly the European policy based on free competition in the market versus capitalist societies that keep on attacking the companies of social economy for the sake of trivializing and getting rid of them

Using a Marxist perspective, this thesis examines Venezuela’s Socialist Production Units (SPU). SPUs have emerged as a clear alternative to the neoliberal model that characterized Venezuela and most of Latin America for the past 30 years. However, SPUs exist within capitalism and their political economy remains contradictory, a reality that manifests in the concrete experiences of their workers. Although facing contradictory experiences, SPU workers are acquiring important learning that challenges dominant market relations and builds the preconditions for a new, more just society. This learning is being acquired informally, in particular, through workers’ democratic participation in their SPU. For these reasons, SPUs should be considered important sites where revolutionary praxis is taking place. Therefore, I conclude, SPUs are making a significant contribution to the building of ‘socialism in the 21st century’, but further struggles, in particular, against the state bureaucracy and large local landowners are needed to advance their goals.

Using a Marxist perspective, this thesis examines Venezuela’s Socialist Production Units (SPU). SPUs have emerged as a clear alternative to the neoliberal model that characterized Venezuela and most of Latin America for the past 30 years. However, SPUs exist within capitalism and their political economy remains contradictory, a reality that manifests in the concrete experiences of their workers. Although facing contradictory experiences, SPU workers are acquiring important learning that challenges dominant market relations and builds the preconditions for a new, more just society. This learning is being acquired informally, in particular, through workers’ democratic participation in their SPU. For these reasons, SPUs should be considered important sites where revolutionary praxis is taking place. Therefore, I conclude, SPUs are making a significant contribution to the building of ‘socialism in the 21st century’, but further struggles, in particular, against the state bureaucracy and large local landowners are needed to advance their goals.

This dissertation examines nonprofit, co-operative, and volunteer media enterprises operating outside Saskatchewan’s state and commercial media sectors. Drawing on historical research and contemporary case studies, I take the position that this third sector of media activity has played, and continues to play, a much-needed role in engaging marginalized voices in social discourse, encouraging participation in community-building and local governance, fostering local-global connectedness, and holding power to account when the rights and interests of citizens are jeopardized. The cases studied reveal a surprising level of resiliency among third sector media enterprises; however, the research also finds that the challenges facing third sector media practitioners have deepened considerably in recent decades, testing this resiliency. A rapid withdrawal of media development support from the public sphere has left Saskatchewan’s third sector media at a crossroads. The degree of the problem is largely unknown outside media practitioner circles, even among civil society allies. I argue this relates to the lack of recognition of nonprofit, co-operative, and volunteer media as a distinct third sector, thus obscuring the global impact when hundreds of small undertakings shed staff and reduce operations in multiple locations across Canada. At the same time, there is increasing recognition that such media have the potential to fill a void left by commercial and state media organizations that have retreated from local communities. Accordingly, this dissertation makes the case for a coordinated media development strategy as a component of the social economy. The challenge is to build useful mechanisms of support among civil society allies that do not replicate oppressive donor-client relationships that are all too common in the arena of governmental and private sector support. While never simple, the opportunities and social benefits are considerable when citizens devise the means to participate in the creation of a robust, diverse media ecology.

No description available.

En choisissant de nous intéresser à l'insertion par l'activité économique et à l'aide à domicile, nous avons cherché à comprendre comment ces deux secteurs se situent face à la force de l'isomorphisme marchand, au nom de valeurs accordant la primauté à des populations vulnérables. Notre travail nous a conduits à nous intéresser aux dynamiques territoriales de développement, et in fine à vérifier les compromis pouvant être construits sur le registre des valeurs partagées entre secteurs et territoires. Notre comparaison interterritoriale, entre la Communauté autonome basque et le Pays basque français s'est donc exercée à deux niveaux. D'une part, celui de deux secteurs de l'économie sociale considérés comme des ordres institutionnels spécifiques. D'autre part, celui des dynamiques territoriales de développement et des principes axiologiques qui les sous-tendent. Notre approche empirique permet de conceptualiser des systèmes territoriaux d'innovation sociale qui produisent une forme de transformation sociale, en marquant leur préférence pour des populations vulnérables en tant qu'objets et sujets de dynamiques territoriales. / How do two welfare sector (socia integration through economic activity, and home care) continue to promote the priorization of vulnerable people in the face of the phenomenon of market froces-driven isomorphism ? This disserttation focuses on the dynamics of territorial development, and assesses the compromises which have been constructed between different sectors and localisations on the basis of shared values. We compared two different locations, the Basque autonomous community (Spain) and the French basque country, conducting our analysis on two distinct levels. Firstly, we compared two sectors of the social economy which constitute specific institutional orders. Secondly, we looked at the territorial dynamics of development and the values systems underpinning them. Our empirical approach enables us to put forward the concept of Territorial systems of social innovation. These systems generate social transformation by priorizing vulnerable populations, both in their role as the recipients of services and as active participants in the shaping of the territorial dynamics.