Nantes Nord, 6 – 8 April. URBiNAT Consortium partners working on practical ways to leverage the Social & Solidarity Economy in support of the co-creation of a Healthy Corridor in Nantes Nord met, last week, to gather evidence from local ecosystem actors. Since the launch of the URBiNAT project, in 2018, the district of Nantes Nord has seen the emergence of multiple Social & Solidarity Economy initiatives. These include a startup hub for social enterprises, markets for local farmers and a re-launched local currency used by several enterprises in the neighbourhood.

The representatives of Nantes Métropole detached to Nantes Nord have been working with local entrepreneurs, citizens’ associations and researchers from URBiNAT partner IRSTV, to build connections and create synergies leading to the creation of a new type of “nature-based enterprise”. The business model still needs to be demonstrated but there’s a strong belief locally that an alternative, more sustainable model of enterprise development is possible. Solid political and financial support from the Nantes Métropole, as well as the private sector, has been key to the launch of many promising-looking initiatives.

SOLILAB is the result of a strong mobilisation of the actors of Nantes’ Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE), in coordination with Nantes Métropole (City administration). This collective dynamic has resulted in the creation of a hub, to make the SSE more real, more visible, to pool resources and to encourage cooperation.

URBiNAT partners met with SOLILAB organisers to talk about its origins and role in support of the SSE, and plans for the expansion of activities, notably in the district of Nantes Nord. The SOLIAB presents itself as a laboratory for social and environmental innovations, a meeting point for people who aspire to working and consuming more sustainably, a space for experimentation that is constantly evolving. This multi-functional co-operative space, is now recognised on a national scale.

The MONEKO (My Eco-Citizen Money) was launched in 2020 with a mission to empower local citizens in the economic, ecological and social transition of the Nantes region. It is presented as lever designed to boost local trade and short supply chains, in favour of maintaining and developing employment in the Nantes and greater Loire Atlantique region.

URBiNAT researchers met with the promoters of the MONEKO, whose offices are based at the Solilab Hub for social entreprises. The currency, still in its infancy, has already been adopted by several Social and Solidarity Enterprises in the district of Nantes Nord as shown on map.

Bio-T-Full is an association whose ambition is to put agriculture and nature back at the core of our everyday lives. Headquartered at the Solilab, the association is active across Nantes, including Nantes Nord, where its members are engaged with the representatives of URBiNAT partners IAAC (Barcelona) in the creation of urban gardens.

Bio-T-Full organises a range citizen activities based on the transmission of know-how related to edible plants. The organisation favours low-tech, off-soil and natural methods.

For more about the URBiNAT NBS see our NBS Catalogue.

URBiNAT NBS co-impemented by Bio-T-Full and URBiNAT partners IAAC and Nantes Métropole: Mobile Vegetable Garden