Technological incubators of popular cooperatives: reality of the incubation of solidarity economy enterprises with the participation of users of mental health services.

Abstract

Technological incubators of popular cooperatives (ITCP - Incubadoras Tecnológicas de Cooperativas Populares) are organizations that are linked to universities and have an important role in the development of Solidarity Economy. With the rise of psychosocial rehabilitation, solidarity economy enterprises (Empreendimentos Econômicos Solidários - EES) became an alternative for mental health service users to be socially included. This study aimed at investigating which ITCPs are incubating EES with the participation of those users, at characterizing such ventures, and at identifying the main demands, challenges, difficulties, and opportunities that were found in the incubation process of such enterprises. It is a qualitative study that had 4 professionals in charge of the incubation of the EES linked to 3 ITCPs. The results pointed out that the demands, challenges, difficulties, and opportunities mainly relate to exercising self-management; production processes; interference from EES members’ subjectivities in the collective work and to support initiatives and partnerships. The interventions from the incubation technicians were found to be essential to solve problems and to make the most of the facilities to achieve the users’ psychosocial rehabilitation.