In July 2022, Seira introduced #SeiraInversioSocial, the first patient and sustainable investment solution designed to strengthen social and cooperative economy organizations. This kind of investment seeks social justice impact, preserving the environment and effective management. Seira relies on the support of the Catalan Worker Cooperatives Federation to achieve its goal of making non-speculative investment.
The event was held at the Zumzeig Cinecooperativa, a cooperative movie theater in the neighborhood of Hostafrancs in Barcelona. About 40 people attended the event to discover this investment vehicle, which aims to promote the creation, growth and consolidation of worker’s cooperatives and other micro, small and medium-sized businesses from the Catalan social economy.
#SeiraInversioSocial is a patient investment, with repayments spread over ten years at a fixed interest rate. It is also non-speculative: the charged interest rate only aims to cover structural costs and continue investing in other social and cooperative economy projects. Unlike traditional financial institutions that often demand personal guarantees, we do not require additional guarantees for the project. Thus, this represents the first exclusive financing tool for social economy organizations with no required guarantees.
This investment vehicle is addressed to non-profit organizations, cooperatives, associations, foundations, inclusion-oriented social enterprises, to whom it offers investment options between 20,000 and 400,000 euros. #SeiraInversioSocial offers strategic and financial guidance. We provide several hours of monthly support to help you achieve your goals, with the option of obtaining professional advice for your governing bodies. The project benefits from the support of the channels and the network established by the Catalan Worker Cooperatives Federation and Seira’s experience to pave the way to involved organizations.
Guillem Llorens, the president of the Seira Foundation, the Catalan Worker Cooperatives Federation and the Confederation of Cooperatives of Catalonia, Jaume Oller, first vice president of the Seira Foundation, Miguel Linde, director of the Seira Foundation and Daniel María, project manager of the Seira Foundation took part in the event.
Experience roundtable
After the presentation of #SeiraInversioSocial, a roundtable was set up to share firsthand experiences from cooperatives who have relied on the support and guidance of Seira. Speakers included Laura Roda, management accounting at Cos Cooperativa, Mireia Riera worker-owner and president of the executive council of Artijoc and Fermí Cueva, project and sales manager at Cervesers Artesans de Catalunya. The co-op representatives highlighted how crucial it was to receive financial support through the #SeiraInversioSocial program, but also the guidance and advice offered by management experts.