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Official Journal of the European Union
EN
C series
C/2023/1344

29.11.2023

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
of 27 November 2023
on developing social economy framework conditions C/2023/1344

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 in conjunction with Article 149 and Article 1531, points h and j thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions 1, Whereas:
1

The European Pillar of Social Rights the Pillar proclaimed jointly by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 17 November 2017 2 sets out a number of principles to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The Pillar includes the first principle on the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning, the second principle on gender equality, the third principle on equal opportunities, the fourth principle on active support to employment, the fifth principle on secure and adaptable employment, and principles 11 and 16 to 20 on social protection and inclusion of children, persons with disabilities and the homeless, and access to essential services, health care and long-term care.

2

In June 2021, the European Council, in line with the Porto Declaration, welcomed the EU headline targets for 2030
enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan 3. Those targets aim to achieve an employment rate of at least 78 %, adult participation in training annually of at least 60 %, and a reduction of people being at risk of poverty or social exclusion of at least 15 million of which at least 5 million children. The Member States have then set national targets in all three areas to help achieve those shared aims.

3

Despite the progress made over the past decade to reduce poverty and social exclusion, 95.4 million people remained at risk in 2021. The poverty risk has increased for people living in quasi-jobless households, and the depth and duration of poverty has worsened in many Member States. Quality and sustainable employment is key to alleviating this problem. Thanks to the way the social economy works, its actions and the aims it pursues, the social economy has a key role to play in improving social inclusion and equal access to the labour market. It therefore contributes to the successful implementation of the Pillar.

4

Social economy entities can create and retain quality jobs; they contribute to the social and labour-market inclusion of disadvantaged groups and to equal opportunities for all. This is in line with the framework of an inclusive recovery, as highlighted in the Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States laid down by Council Decision EU 2022/2296 4. Social economy entities can stimulate sustainable economic and industrial development and promote the active participation of citizens in society. They also make a significant contribution to Unions welfare systems by complementing public services, revitalising Unions rural and depopulated areas and playing an important role in international development policy.

1 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 8 February 2023 on Creating an enabling environment for the social economy the local and regional perspective CDR 5492/2022.
2 OJ C 428, 13.12.2017, p. 10.
3 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan COM/2021/102 final.
4 Council Decision EU 2022/2296 of 21 November 2022 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States OJ L 304, 24.11.2022, p. 67.

ELI: http data.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1344/oj
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