Je veux savoir à propos de…

EN

OJ C, 29.11.2023

5

On 9 December 2021, the Commission adopted an action plan for the social economy 5. That action plan contributes to the Commissions priority of building an economy that works for people and is aligned with the 2015 Council Conclusions on the promotion of the social economy as a key driver of economic and social development in Europe 6. In that action plan, the Commission put forward concrete measures to be implemented both at Union and national level. The measures aim to boost social innovation, support the development of the social economy and unlock its social and economic transformative power. The measures focus on creating the right conditions for the social economy to thrive, creating opportunities for social economy entities, which include enterprises and other forms of organisations, to start up and scale up, and ensuring that the social economy and its potential are more visible. The European Parliament welcomed that action plan in its resolution dated 6 July 2022 7.

6

On 18 April 2023, the United Nations adopted a resolution on promoting the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development, providing a global definition of the social and solidarity economy and a roadmap to support the development of the social and solidarity economy at global level. Other international organisations have also adopted strategies for the development of the social economy, such as the Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy adopted at the 110th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organisation on 10 June 2022; and the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development Recommendation OECD on the social and solidarity economy and social innovation, also adopted on 10 June 2022.

7

The social economy, also referred to in some Member States as the solidarity economy or social and solidarity economy, encompasses a diverse range of entities with different business and organisational models that prioritise societal purpose, including social and environmental goals, over profit. Social economy entities and their definition can vary slightly between the Member States, and can take various legal forms and statuses, such as cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, foundations and social enterprises. They share the common principles of reinvesting all or most of their profits to pursue their social or environmental purposes and practicing democratic or participatory governance. The specific form of governance and management adopted by social economy entities varies according to their nature, scale, and context of operation. The principle of democratic or participatory governance thus takes different forms, ranging from the direct engagement of members in the governance processes to the representative involvement of members or partners in separate governance and management functions. For example, in cooperatives, mutual societies, and associations, this principle often takes the form of one person, one vote. The decision-making processes in social economy entities are characterised by a set of control systems and relationships between the different agents participating in the entity, including managers, partners, employees and beneficiaries. By bringing together those different agents, social economy entities promote a multi-stakeholder effort centred around a culture of participation, accountability, and transparency and aimed at achieving a common goal.

8

Social economy entities often strive to create economic opportunities that promote social inclusion and the integration of disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities and persons with mental health issues, into the labour market. Work integration social enterprises are a type of social enterprise that focuses on helping those groups of people integrate in society and in work by providing jobs at various skills levels with inclusive and flexible working conditions. For example, providing linguistic support to migrant workers and adapted tasks and working environments for persons with disabilities can offer them a route out of poverty and social exclusion.
Those job opportunities can serve as stepping stones to other sectors of the labour market, helping to overcome barriers to employment for the long-term unemployed and other people experiencing difficulties in accessing the job market.

5 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy COM
2021 778 final.
6 See doc. ST 15071/15.
7 European Parliament resolution of 6 July 2022 on the EU action plan for the social economy 2021/2179INI.

2/18

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