Co-Labora Incubator of Solidary Economic Enterprises: Experience of Solidary Economic on University Extension Projects in Ribeirão Preto

Abstract

Despite the absence of public politics in the county, that would encourage formation of solidary economic enterprises (SEEs) and that would strengthen the articulation of SEEs, there were a group of teachers who worked in society to fight extreme poverty with income-generating projects. The individual experiences in each occupational area lacked coordination to leverage the incubation process. In December 2013, through the Call No. 89/2013 MCTI-SECIS-MTE-SENAES-CNPq, was founded Co-Labora, an Incubator of solidarity enterprises at USP, Ribeirão Preto campus. Thus, a team of multidisciplinary research and extension faculty, counting with teachers and students (undergraduate and graduate) in the areas of occupational therapy, economics, administration, law and psychology was formed to develop technological services to SEEs. The incubation method consists of: Weekly training in economic solidarity; visit trainees and supervisor weekly to groups; weekly meetings of supervisors and trainees; fortnightly team meetings teachers and coordinators; and specific skills training with external professionals, if there is demand. From this method, we have been able to strengthen existing cooperatives, encourage the formation of new cooperatives, spread the concept of solidarity economy entrepreneurs in neighborhoods and present those initiatives based on solidarity economy philosophy for the City Hall and for various departments of government.