Cooperative – Alternative Forms of Entrepreneurial Action

Key areas

Fair trade

Region/country

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Since the Emmaus Lublin community (Poland) opened in 1995 it has been carrying out the classic activities of collecting and selling on used objects. But for several years the group has been looking to identify new sources of funding.
The current economic climate in Poland means that the quality and quantity of articles received in our community is mediocre. Thus we are dependant, in a way, on aid coming from Emmaus groups in Western European countries.
Developing new forms of funding would mean more autonomy for our group and greater diversity in our sources of funding. We also offer training and practice in manual jobs for our companions, depending on whether or not they are interested and depending on their individual capabilities. Thanks to this work some of them have been able to find work and become autonomous.

With this goal in mind a Cooperative has been created and the majority of its members are companions. This Cooperative works making street furniture and in gastronomy.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Since the turn of the millennium we have been preparing, creating and experimenting with workshops with a view to launching new forms of development. We launched crafts workshops such as carpentry, ironwork/welding, vulcanisation of rubber, upholstery, repairing bicycles and moulding concrete. We have since had to close some of these workshops.

In 2010 we created a Social Cooperative and the majority of its members are companions. The goal of this Cooperative is to carry out entrepreneurial initiatives for production and services.

Since 2010 we have been diversifying our production, creating street furniture such as park benches, concrete tables, stools, bins, road signs, bus shelters, etc.

In 2016 we opened a restaurant where we make Italian-style pizza and Turkish-style kebabs as well as offering salads, drinks and other options.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

. 12 companions, 8 of whom are part-time staff members and 4 of whom are doing internships
. 4 external partners at the pizzeria
. 3 people responsible for the management of this cooperative, on a part-time basis

The above information applies only to the social cooperative. Emmaus Lublin Association is the main legal entity, responsible for the management of the community, the collection and sale of second-hand items, with a separate team of staff.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

Photos

. May 2015 – the idea was brought forward and was discussed in different groups. We analysed the feasibility of this project in terms of finance, human resources, potential return on investment, etc. In July we held a meeting with our companions, our board and our employees and organised an anonymous vote. Despite initial apprehension the result was unanimous: 100% voted in favour of the project!rn. We then moved onto renting the premises, drawing up the technical, technological and sanitary documents, etc. This work was important in order to obtain all the necessary approvals (and there were lots!).rn. We then had to bring together our sources of funding:rnSelf-financing (around 10,000 euros).rnLoans: we took out 2 loans - we received around 8,000 euros to be used to purchase materials and in return we promised to hire 2 people for a minimum duration of 2 years.rn. Adapting the premises to our needs – all of the work done on the building was carried out by our companions.rn. Fitting out the building: kitchen equipment, kitchen accessories and furniture for the restaurant.rn. We built the furniture and many other objects ourselves (or rather our companions built them).rn. Training, designing the menus, looking for suppliers, etc.rn. Designing and completing the interior of the restaurant (decoration, lighting, displaying objects designed by people with disabilities, putting up posters for our local association project and for Emmaus International, etc.)rn. Designing our advertising material, promoting the project in the media - in the first few months we were the subject of several television reports including two reports for national TV; we also did several radio interviews and many articles about our project were written in the press.rn. The official opening took place on 12 March 2016 — . May 2015 – the idea was brought forward and was discussed in different groups. We analysed the feasibility of this project in terms of finance, human resources, potential return on investment, etc. In July we held a meeting with our companions, our board and our employees and organised an anonymous vote. Despite initial apprehension the result was unanimous: 100% voted in favour of the project!rn. We then moved onto renting the premises, drawing up the technical, technological and sanitary documents, etc. This work was important in order to obtain all the necessary approvals (and there were lots!).rn. We then had to bring together our sources of funding:rnSelf-financing (around 10,000 euros).rnLoans: we took out 2 loans – we received around 8,000 euros to be used to purchase materials and in return we promised to hire 2 people for a minimum duration of 2 years.rn. Adapting the premises to our needs – all of the work done on the building was carried out by our companions.rn. Fitting out the building: kitchen equipment, kitchen accessories and furniture for the restaurant.rn. We built the furniture and many other objects ourselves (or rather our companions built them).rn. Training, designing the menus, looking for suppliers, etc.rn. Designing and completing the interior of the restaurant (decoration, lighting, displaying objects designed by people with disabilities, putting up posters for our local association project and for Emmaus International, etc.)rn. Designing our advertising material, promoting the project in the media – in the first few months we were the subject of several television reports including two reports for national TV; we also did several radio interviews and many articles about our project were written in the press.rn. The official opening took place on 12 March 2016

On 13 May 2020, we bought a building where a pizzeria was established. This decision was made in 2019, before the pandemic. We borrowed about 120,000 euros from a special fund for social enterprises, almost interest-free, and we used about 40,000 euros of our own funds (income from the cooperative). However, the pandemic has become a source of stress due to the difficult economic and social situation. rnFrom autumn 2020 onwards, the pizzeria has only been selling take-aways and our income has not reduced compared to pre-COVID levels! This is a real surprise! rnIn February, we entered the best pizza competition advertised by our main product supplier - and we won! As a prize, we received useful items for the restaurant, including a heated pizza bag. rnrnDuring the winter, we did some work to adapt the summer garden in the pizzeria so that we can welcome customers for a few more months of the year. rnrnImportant additional information: the residential part of the purchased building, about 180 m2, was intended for the companions - 8 people live here today, in very comfortable conditions. — On 13 May 2020, we bought a building where a pizzeria was established. This decision was made in 2019, before the pandemic. We borrowed about 120,000 euros from a special fund for social enterprises, almost interest-free, and we used about 40,000 euros of our own funds (income from the cooperative). However, the pandemic has become a source of stress due to the difficult economic and social situation. rnFrom autumn 2020 onwards, the pizzeria has only been selling take-aways and our income has not reduced compared to pre-COVID levels! This is a real surprise! rnIn February, we entered the best pizza competition advertised by our main product supplier – and we won! As a prize, we received useful items for the restaurant, including a heated pizza bag. rnrnDuring the winter, we did some work to adapt the summer garden in the pizzeria so that we can welcome customers for a few more months of the year. rnrnImportant additional information: the residential part of the purchased building, about 180 m2, was intended for the companions – 8 people live here today, in very comfortable conditions.

Since 2010, we have been diversifying our production, creating street furniture, such as park benches, concrete tables, stools, bins, road signs, bus shelters, etc.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

. We have succeeded in creating a commercial business which operates only with entrepreneurial activities. For the time being our profits are not very high but we are competitive.
. We have created a workspace which allows our companions to gain qualification and practice different professions (carpentry, welding, masonry, catering and also, less often, tiling, painting and decorating).
. Thanks to these projects we have been able to do a lot of the construction work and work in the restaurant ourselves; this has helped us to progress and improve both our working conditions and the day-to-day life in our community. This aspect was important for the companions’personal development as they feel as though their living and working conditions are improving thanks to their own hard work.
. We have given ourselves an opportunity to further the economic and social development of our community.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

What we need most of all is a bit of a boost and to widen our possibilities in terms of commercial management. The current level of development has now become too much for us to handle.
With the 2nd place prize we won on 14 November (best social economy business in Poland in 2016) we were granted a management and organisation audit which will be carried out by the international consulting firm PWC. We hope to make the best possible use of this aid.

We look forward to paying back this loan. Then everything will be fine.