SEAM’s study visit to France
What can Malta learn from other countries’ experiences of the social economy, and how can those insights inspire our own approach?
Last week, I travelled to France with Joe, a colleague at SEED and a member of SEAM’s board, alongside other SEAM board members and representatives, for a study visit focused on social entrepreneurship and the social economy.
As a network of social entrepreneurs, SEAM plays an important role in connecting people and supporting the development of social entrepreneurship in Malta. With Chris, SEED’s Chief Executive, also serving on SEAM’s board since 2022, the visit was an opportunity to strengthen the links between our organisations and learn from experiences that could help shape the future of Malta’s social enterprise ecosystem.
As my first mobility through SEED, it was an exciting opportunity to meet organisations working in the field, exchange experiences and discover different approaches to creating social impact.
We began in Paris, where we were warmly welcomed by the team at Groupe SOS, before heading to Marseille to visit three organisations working across employment integration, social support, culture and heritage, and environmental sustainability.
Different contexts, shared learning
Given the different contexts in France and Malta, the visit offered a valuable opportunity to explore how social-purpose organisations operate within different systems and what we might learn from their experiences.
France’s Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) has roots in the 19th century and is supported by a legal framework introduced in 2014. This framework recognises a broad range of organisations, including associations, cooperatives, mutual societies and foundations, as well as certain socially focused businesses. In Malta, while voluntary organisations and cooperatives have long played an important role in community life, our Social Enterprise Act, adopted in 2022 is yet to come into effect.
What stood out to me throughout the visit was the open-minded, non-dogmatic approach we encountered. Rather than treating one model as the answer, the organisations showed genuine sensitivity to the people and communities they work with, adapting their approaches to different needs and circumstances. One message came through consistently: people come first.
For me, this was one of the most valuable takeaways from the visit. International exchange is not about copying another country’s system, but about sharing experiences, challenging assumptions and exploring what might be relevant in our own context.
A new purpose for an ancient fort
Our visit to ACTA VISTA in Marseille offered an extremely interesting example of social impact in practice.
Fort Saint-Nicolas, originally built in the 17th century for military defence and later used as a prison, is now being restored through a project that combines heritage preservation with vocational training and employment opportunities for people facing barriers to work.
Through hands-on restoration, participants develop practical skills in traditional building trades while gaining experience that can support their path towards future employment. The fort becomes more than a historic site; it becomes a place where heritage preservation and social inclusion come together.
Being in a historic fort felt familiar to us as Maltese visitors, given Malta’s own rich heritage. What stood out was how a familiar setting could be used in such a meaningful way, connecting the preservation of the past with opportunities for people to build their futures.
Overall, I returned from France with fresh perspectives, new connections and plenty to reflect on. The visit also gave me the chance to meet Océane, a SEED colleague based in Marseille, for the first time, making the experience meaningful on many different levels.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who welcomed us and generously shared their experiences.
Maya Aarohi
Content & Communications Coordinator
This mobility was supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, with thanks to EUPA Malta ( https://fondi.eu/eupa/ , https://www.facebook.com/EUPAMALTA/ )
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