Master Economie Sociale Et Solidaire

The Master Economie Sociale et Solidaire, offered in French at Université Lumière - Lyon 2 in Lyon, France, focuses on the social and solidarity economy sector, which brings together cooperatives, mutual associations, nonprofit organizations, and social enterprises that pursue collective or social goals alongside financial sustainability. Coursework in this field typically covers the legal and governance structures specific to cooperatives and associations, financing mechanisms such as solidarity finance and impact investment, social innovation, project management for nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, and public policy related to employment and social inclusion. Students also engage with topics such as territorial development, participatory governance, and the evaluation of social impact, learning to balance economic viability with social or environmental objectives. Because organizations in this sector operate at the intersection of business, public policy, and civil society, the discipline draws on management, economics, sociology, and law. Graduates commonly pursue careers as project managers, directors, or consultants within cooperatives, mutual insurance companies, foundations, NGOs, or public agencies that support the social economy, as well as roles in regional development bodies and organizations that fund or evaluate solidarity-based initiatives. Some go on to found or manage their own social enterprises. The master's degree at Lyon 2 runs over two years, with an inferred start in September, and instruction is delivered entirely in French, so applicants should have a solid command of the language to follow lectures, seminars, and coursework. The yearly tuition is 250 EUR. As a two-year graduate program situated in Lyon, a major French university city, the degree is intended for students who already hold an undergraduate-level qualification and want to specialize further in the governance and management of solidarity-based economic activity.