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CCRABE Workshops
Helping cooperatives adopt an economic model based on the strengths of the cooperative and circular economy movements
The CCRABE (“Cooperative and Circular Response to a Need” model) workshop is an innovative approach to strategic thinking. It helps existing cooperatives and emerging initiatives to integrate circular economy principles into their cooperative model.
The IICADD offers preparatory workshops on the CCRABE model to train people who can in turn train their colleagues in their cooperatives. The CCRABE workshop can also be used as part of consulting services provided to other cooperatives.
Objectives of CCRABE workshops
- Understand how the cooperative form can be used as a lever to “circularize” their operations.
- Foster an alternative economic vision that places democracy and participation at the centre of the management model, through collective and equitable decision-making.
- Equip emerging cooperative initiatives by proposing strategies for reducing and reusing resources.
- Promote a collaborative approach where circularity is a fundamental design principle, and profit is viewed as a means rather than an end.
- Favour inclusive and participatory governance, where people are at the heart of the process and active member participation is encouraged.
Benefits
- CCRABE is firmly committed to a transformative approach, aiming to equip cooperatives to integrate systemic strategies for resource reduction and reuse.
- CCRABE promotes a holistic reflection that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions, allowing cooperatives to rethink their processes, interactions, and governance modes.
- The active participation of CCRABE members fosters collaborative reflection focused on the needs of the community.
- CCRABE acts as a lever for the implementation of innovative projects and facilitates socio-environmental transition.
Teaching method
Workshop presenting the concept of cooperatives and the circular economy and introducing the CCRABE model.- Teaching materials:
- Innovative visual aids integrating environmental, societal, and economic dimensions, enabling participants to ensure that their organization reflects the needs of the community.
- Facilitation guides and presentations for established cooperatives and start-up initiatives, including a set of questions to stimulate reflection.
- IICADD certification to deliver CCRABE workshops within their organizations.
IICADD can provide support for the first workshop, if needed.
Key links and publications
- Crété, J.-L. (2022). Comment concevoir des modèles d’affaires circulaires sur la base du modèle coopératif? [Integration project, HEC Montréal].
- Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (2024). Canevas CCRABE.
- Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (2024). Guide d’animation de l’atelier CCRABE: Coopérative établie.
- Institut international des coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins (2024). Guide d’animation de l’atelier CCRABE: Initiative en démarrage.
Funding
Réseau de recherche en économie circulaire du Québec (RRECQ) and Fonds de recherche du Québec as part of the project: Circular Economy and Cooperation – Exploring Three Related Approaches (Cooperatives, Commons, and the Tree of Cooperation) for a Just and Sustainable Economy.
SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council), Government of Canada, project number 890-2022-0023 : Social economy embedding circular economy: Theory, practice and potential”. An internationa partnership.
For more information, please contact iicadd@hec.ca .
FEATURES OF THE PREPARATION WORKSHOPS
DESIGNED FOR
Groups of 4 to 16 people
- Anyone interested
DURATION
• 3 hours
TRAINING LOCATIONS
- On the HEC Montréal campus
- At the organization’s site (travel expenses not included)
- Online
LANGUAGES OF INSTRUCTION
- French
- English
- Other languages, with consecutive interpretation provided by the client
GROUP RATES
- C$1,500 for cooperatives
- C$2,600 for other organizations
RATES FOR THE LICENCE TO USE THE TEACHING MATERIAL
- No charge for cooperatives
- C$500 per group of up to 16 people and $50 per additional participant for other organizations
- Three-year contract
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Educational materials
- IICADD certification