The social economy can be the economic model to tackle both climate and social crisis

Parent Online Newsletter
EESC info January 2020

Such was the message to the European institutions from the social economy actors meeting in Strasbourg – European capital of the social economy 2019, for the 4th European Day of Social Economy Enterprises, just as the European Parliament gave the green light to Ursula von der Leyen's new team.

The EESC, in cooperation with the French Ministry for Ecological and Inclusive Transition and the city and Eurometropole area of Strasbourg, held the 4th European Day of Social Economy Enterprises on the theme of The Social Economy: mobilising cities, regions and civil society. Pact for Impact for the European Union.

All speakers emphasised that the social economy may be the only viable alternative to a model of production and consumption that threatens the survival of the planet and exacerbates social inequalities, by putting the values of equality, social justice and sustainable development at the core of the economic model. Faced with globalisation and relocation, it offers a model deeply rooted in our cities and regions.

A joint declaration was adopted, setting out the measures to take the social economy to a higher level in Europe, in particular, a comprehensive, coherent policy initiative with specific measures to:

  • Build a suitable financial ecosystem, promoting strategic investment in innovative and sustainable social economy projects throughout their life cycles, and prioritising the social economy in EU financing programmes;
  • Make sure that social economy enterprises can take full advantage of the digital transition;
  • Raise the profile and boosting recognition of the social economy across Europe;
  • Help the public authorities in their work to bring social entrepreneurship into all levels of education;
  • Ensure that all public institutions at local, regional national and European level implement socially and ecologically responsible public procurement award procedures.

The declaration has been forwarded to the European Parliament and the European Commission in order to feed into their work from the beginning of their terms. (dm)