Details
Year: 2024
Published in: Euclid Network
Cited as: Euclid Network (2024). Compendium of Good Practices.
Subject
One year on from the European Council’s Recommendation on Social Economy Framework Conditions: towards national strategies for supporting the social economy
Abstract
The adoption of a Council Recommendation in November 20231 on the improvement of social economy framework conditions was a significant milestone for stakeholders across Europe who have been striving to cultivate ecosystems that support social entrepreneurship. Already one year has passed since the adoption of this Recommendation which means EU Member States are already half way through the window of time where they should design and begin to implement strategies to support the social economy. This is an ambitious Recommendation but one which Euclid Network (EN) enthusiastically supports. For this reason, EN has dedicated this edition of the Compendium of Good Practice to highlighting 10 approaches to designing, developing and implementing strategies and policies to support social enterprises from across the EU and beyond. These include a range of initiatives, some more developed and holistic than others but all indicating avenues of potential action. While the EU’s Council Recommendation was a meaningful achievement, there are many challenges that remain on the horizon. As the EU increases its attention on competitiveness, it is essential that sustainability and social inclusion are front and centre of any vision of a competitive economy. Any European Competitiveness Deal 2 must build upon and include the European Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights, demonstrating a model of European competitiveness that puts people and planet first.
Social enterprises are already demonstrating an alternative is possible, that running a competitive business can go hand-in-hand with social, environmental and economic sustainability. Social enterprises need additional, better tailored and more accessible support to enable them to achieve their potential and deliver positive impacts in the communities in which they work.
