Paris 2024 Olympics sets new business benchmark
The Paris 2024 Olympics, hailed as a groundbreaking event, has not only showcased world-class athletic talent but also set a new standard for economic and social responsibility in international sporting events. By integrating the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) into the fabric of the Games, Paris 2024 has redefined how major events can drive sustainable business practices while fostering economic inclusivity.
From the outset, Paris 2024, in collaboration with key partners like the Yunus Centre and les Canaux, focused on creating an economically and socially responsible Games. This commitment led to the development of a tailored system designed to ensure that businesses within the SSE, which accounts for 10% of jobs in France, could fully participate in the Olympic journey. This initiative has allowed these businesses, known for their virtuous value creation models, to actively contribute to the Games.
Central to this effort was the creation of ESS 2024, the first platform exclusively dedicated to businesses from the SSE. This platform provided an accessible gateway for these businesses to secure contracts related to the Games, capitalizing on the vast business opportunities that arose. With over 3,500 businesses listed on the ESS 2024 platform, 47% of which are based in the Greater Paris region and 18% in Seine-Saint-Denis, the initiative has had a significant impact on local economies.
To date, more than 150 SSE businesses have been involved in organizing the Games, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable event. The platform, launched specifically for the Olympics, is set to continue its operations beyond the Games, ensuring a lasting legacy for SSE businesses in France.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the Yunus Centre, emphasized the global significance of this approach. “The world is looking for a new kind of governance to emerge. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games can act as the voice for optimism and change. The event will be very exciting. We have a great responsibility. Paris has set out its stall, and the eyes of the whole world will be on France in 2024. The Games will go down in history as inclusive and sustainable.”
By positioning the SSE at the heart of the Paris 2024 Olympics, France has not only hosted a successful global event but has also pioneered a new model for economic inclusivity and sustainability that could influence future international events.
