Europe officially has a Social Economy Action Plan
The official launch of the new EU Social Economy Action Plan took place on 16 December in Brussels in the presence of two European Commissioners and with the video attendance of the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace Muhammad Yunus.
The official launch of the new EU Social Economy Action Plan, with the attendance of two European commissionaires Nicolas Schmit, commissioner for jobs and social rights and Thierry Breton, commissioner for internal market and with the video attendance of the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, Muhammad YunusThrough this action plan, adopted at the beginning of December, the European Commission proposes concrete measures in order to mobilize the full potential of social economy and to stimulate the social investment in the direction of innovating and creating new workplaces. The document also includes financing opportunities for the social economy sector.
Areas of action
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown once more how necessary is the transition to a new economic model that is fair, sustainable and more resistant than the previous one. Among the actions presented also are launching new financing instruments and offering consultative support to entities in the field of social economy. Improving the financing conditions for the sector is also a priority.
The document comprises three areas of action to develop social economy until 2030:
1. Creating the right conditions for the social economy to thrive
2. Opening opportunities for social economy organisations to start up and scale up
3. Making sure the social economy and its potential are recognised
”The social economy has huge potential to create workplaces”
Nicolas Schmit, the commissioner for jobs and social rights, has underlined the role of the social economy for the growth of our society.
“Thanks to its strong local roots, the social economy can offer innovative bottom-up solutions to many of the global challenges of today, such as climate change, digitisation and social exclusion. The social economy works with and for local communities and has a huge job creating potential. With this Action Plan, I believe that social economy organisations will be empowered to scale up, be recognised, and make an even bigger impact on society.”,said Nicolas Schmit,the commissioner for jobs and social rights.
In his turn, the commissioner for internal market, Thierry Breton, stated on the importance of shifting the economic paradigm in the context of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
”The social economy creates jobs and growth close to the needs of citizens and of their immediate surroundings. The COVID-19 crisis has also demonstrated the resilience and ingenuity of social economy business models. To continue developing their potential and their contribution to the green and digital transformations, we are launching a transition pathway for the “Proximity and Social Economy” ecosystem. We will work with all stakeholders for a more inclusive and sustainable economy.”,said Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market. Thierry Breton