European Parliament resolution of 5 July 2011 on the future of social services of general interest (2009/2222(INI))
The European Parliament ,
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– having regard to its resolution of 19 February 2009 on Social Economy,
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– having regard to its Declaration 10 March 2011 on the establishment of European Statutes for mutual societies, associations and foundations,
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22. Stresses that it is inappropriate for public funds allocated to SSGI to be used otherwise than to fulfil the objectives of the service, and that no part of such funding, apart from reasonable staff and overhead costs incurred in service delivery, should be used for any other purpose; takes the view that the legitimate objective of profit maximisation conflicts unacceptably with the principles and objectives of SSGI; is of the opinion that where Member State authorities choose to use indirect delivery of SSGI, the general interest must be protected, and that they should, while ensuring quality, innovation, efficiency and cost effectiveness, support social economy enterprises, where any surplus is reinvested in the service and in innovation, and encourage them to operate as providers;
40. Takes note of its Declaration of 10 March 2011 on the establishment of European statutes for mutual societies, associations and foundations and the need for greater recognition for social economy actors, including models such as cooperatives, which are active in the provision of SSGI and the organisation and functioning of the social economy, calls on the Commission to take the necessary steps, based on impact assessments at national and EU level, to introduce proposals for European statutes for associations, mutual societies and foundations, which would enable them to operate on a transnational basis;
See online : On the European Parliament’s website
