C 323/40
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
26.8.2022
2.9.
Social economy entities are active in all economic sectors in many European countries: from industrial and craft manufacturing to the circular economy, from sustainable tourism to energy production from renewable sources, from transport to communication and information services, with key roles in social innovation and widespread technology transfer supporting disadvantaged populations or areas.
The variety of legal and organisational forms means that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is inappropriate, although some form of coordination under the leadership of the Commission would be useful.
2.10.
Social economy enterprises are firmly rooted in the local community, contributing to social cohesion in local areas and making them more resilient and inclusive.
This propensity for proximity makes social economy entities particularly effective, including at supporting the green and digital transition and making digital technologies more accessible to everyone, including the most vulnerable and at risk of social exclusion, especially enabling technologies that help people with disabilities to work.
2.11.
Special attention should also be paid to the involvement and development of young people, who should be supported with training measures that encourage the growth of entrepreneurship among the younger generations.
2.12.
To unleash this potential, social economy entities need greater access to investment capital, particularly to make better use of investments in social infrastructure (affordable housing, long-term healthcare and support, education and lifelong learning, poverty reduction, improved accessibility).
These types of infrastructure must be strengthened so as to reduce inequality and social exclusion, problems that have been exacerbated in Europe by the pandemic.
2.13.
The action plan is an opportunity to develop the social economy, by improving industrial policy and by recognising the role played especially by cooperatives (which form major hubs and have considerable capacity for innovation) in European services and industry.
2.14.
The EESC attaches considerable importance to the Commission’s commitment to carrying out studies and research on the social economy with a view to a European Council recommendation in 2023.
The EESC is also pleased that the Commission plans to evaluate the implementation of the action plan in 2025.
However, to ensure the effectiveness of the studies and assessments the SEAP should set clearer medium and long-term goals to help identify the intended social impact, also in relation to the European 2030 strategy.
2.15.
The EESC welcomes and supports the Commission’s goals for promoting cross-border relations and the internationalisation of the social economy, by supporting and encouraging the participation of social economy undertakings in European partnership platforms, by establishing a single EU Social Economy Gateway (one-stop-shop).
2.16.
As part of initiatives to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and, in particular, to increase young people’s involvement in starting up new enterprises, it is essential to increase knowledge of the potential of the social economy in secondary school and university curricula.
This is why we support the proposal to establish a new Youth Entrepreneurship Academy that includes the social economy.
3.
Specific comments 3.1.
Relations between public administrations and social economy entities 3.1.1.
Recognising the potential of the social economy for the future of social and industrial policies, the SEAP affirms the importance of the general interest functions to which the social economy contributes, and it is therefore crucial to establish goals for improving collaboration between the public administration, social economy entities and participants in the social dialogue.
3.1.2.
With this in mind, the EESC sees a need to invest in strengthening ‘shared administration’ between public authorities and social enterprises working towards common interest goals within their respective areas of responsibility and remits.
Forms of planning using inclusive methods of governance that recognise the role of social economy entities, particularly in local systems of cooperation between the social economy and local authorities, should therefore be encouraged.
These innovative ways of working must meet the requirements of transparency, equal treatment, affordability and openness to different stakeholders, applying the principle of subsidiarity.