CAE (Coopérative d'activité et d'emploi)

In France, the SSE law of July 2014 recognises the legal status of Cooperatives d'Activité et d'Emploi (CAE). The CAE are a model of employee entrepreneurship that allows people to create and develop their own activity in an autonomous, cooperative and secure framework. It takes the form of either a SCOP or a SCIC (Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif).

The CAE provides support for the self-employed starting his/her own business. The entrepreneur in the CAE is supported in the creation and development of his or her activity thanks to shared resources (invoicing, management tools, etc.). And after a period of testing this activity, s/he becomes an employee with all the social rights linked to this unique capacity as an entrepreneur-employee. And after some time, member.

This activity can be linked to very diverse sectors: crafts, business services, etc. Some CAEs are grouped around a sector of activity, for example, construction, or around several activities.

History of the concept

More details about the recognition of the CAE are to be found here.

Main networks working on this issue

La Fédération des Coopératives d'Activité et d'Emploi (in French).