DiES

DiES is a cooperative group founded in 2005, comprising over 200 entrepreneurs across Wallonia and Brussels. Established to address the challenges faced by many entrepreneurs who find self-employment too isolated, insecure, and complex, DiES offers a supportive framework that allows individuals to develop their businesses independently, either as salaried employees or self-employed workers, depending on their personal circumstances. As a social purpose cooperative, DiES is committed to promoting strong values where the entrepreneur and their business take precedence over profit. The organization was initiated by social entrepreneurs Michel de Wasseige and Paul Maréchal, aiming to create a more solidarity-based economy. DiES provides a collective and cooperative environment by pooling resources such as administrative, accounting, tax, and social services, enabling entrepreneurs to focus on their core business activities. The cooperative embodies values and objectives that are reflected in its statutes and internal regulations, including job creation and fair incomes, sustainable development, solidarity, cooperation and participation, personal development and autonomy as an entrepreneur, and networking. DiES supports entrepreneurs by guaranteeing their autonomy without being a support or training structure. The name "DiES" stands for Dimension Economie Solidaire (Solidarity Economy Dimension), with the tagline "Let's build a more solidarity-based economy together." The term "DiES" also refers to the musical sharp symbol (#), suggesting a gentle progression towards greater harmony, autonomy, achievements, and success. Additionally, "DiES" relates to the Latin word for day, echoing Horace's famous phrase "carpe diem," encouraging individuals to live the present moment intensely. In recognition of its innovative model serving a more solidarity-based vision of entrepreneurship, DiES was awarded the Social Economy Prize in 2013 and 2017.