RISQ

What is the RISQ?

The RISQ, that is the Réseau d'investissement social du Québec, was founded in 1997 during the Summit Conference on the Economy and Employment. Its mission is to provide financial assistance to social economy enterprises.

Social economy enterprises are organizations that build on collective ownership, democracy, the primacy of people and work over capital and the production of goods and services of social value.

These organizations are typically cooperatives and non-profit organizations such as home care services, day-care centres, cultural organizations and environmental organizations.

RISQ-supported organizations foster job creation as well as access to the labour market for many underprivileged people (the physically challenged, the unemployed and income security recipients).

The RISQ carries out its mission by granting loans (to a maximum of $50,000) and providing technical assistance (to a maximum of $5,000).

Desjardins' support of the RISQ

Desjardins was one of the first partners to support the founding of the RISQ and has contributed $300,000 to RISQ activities. Moreover, Desjardins has supplied at least $100,000 in free services since its inception in 1997. Two Desjardins representatives are active in the administration and management of the RISQ.

The Group believes that social economics are becoming increasingly important in Quebec's economic development and the RISQ contributes to this sector by acting as a support mechanism ($9 for each dollar invested).

In RISQ, Desjardins has found a partner that shares its views on many issues, including the importance of group entrepreneurship and the importance of people over capital.