The European Commission

The social economy is directly taken into account by the European Commission’s Directorate General Enterprise and Industry.

DG Internal Market and Services integrates the social economy in the context of its work on "Business environment" - more specifically on the "social business initiative" - and on Investment Funds - particularly on Social Investment Funds.

DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion DG works on issues related to social economy in the framework of "Europe 2020 initiatives" and setting up of the European platform against poverty.

Click here to access the European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry webpage on social economy

Click here to access the European Commission’s webpage on Social entrepreneurship

Enterprises and entrepreuneurship

This section's articles

Communication from the Commission “Think Small First” - A “Small Business Act” For Europe (COM(2008) 394 final)

Economic, social and environmental cohesion and local development

This section's articles

Better tools for Social Economy

This section's articles

Study on the implementation of the Regulation 1435/2003 on the Statute for European Cooperative Society (SCE)

Others

This section's articles

The application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1435/2003 of 22 July 2003 on the Statute for a European Cooperative Society (SCE) - (COM(2012) 72 final)

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
European platform against poverty and social exclusion

First Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion - SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE coordinating the workshop on social economy
Conference - Social Economy and Social Business - "Together to create new growth - Social entrepreneurship & social economy: Developing a European ecosystem to unlock social innovation, growth and jobs"

Following the release of its communication on the "Social Business Initiative", the European Commission organised a Conference in Brussels.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION: "Responsible Businesses" package (COM(2011) 685 final)
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION: "Social Business Initiative " (COM(2011) 682/2)
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION: "A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility" (COM(2011) 681 final)
Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on "the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings" (COM(2011) 684 final)
Social economy in draft regulations regarding EU cohesion policy 2014-2020
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION: "A Budget for Europe 2020 - Part II: Policy fiches" [SEC(2011) 867 final - SEC(2011) 868 final]
The Social economy in the Single Market Act
José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission Europe leading social innovation Social Innovation Europe initiative Brussels (17/03/2011)
Review of the "Small Business Act" for Europe (COM(2011) 78 final)
EC guide: "Buying Social: A Guide to Taking Account of Social Considerations in Public Procurement"
Public consultation on the modernisation of EU public procurement policy
Call for Proposals VP/2010/014: "Pilot project – All-inclusive cooperation between public authorities, companies and social enterprises in favour of social inclusion and integration into the labour market"
Communication from the European Commission: "The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: A European framework for social and territorial cohesion" [COM(2010) 758 final]
Commission staff working document - Guide to the application of the European Union rules on state aid, public procurement and the internal market to services of general economic interest, and in particular to social services of general interest (SEC(2010) 1545 final)
Background report: "The European Social Fund and Roma"

This study presents the interventions of the European Social Fund (ESF) for the Roma communities.
Background report : "THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND: URBAN AREAS AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT"

Information in this brochure covers the periods 2000-2006 and 2007-2013 up to 2009.
Background report: "THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND AND SOCIAL INCLUSION"

This research report presents the interventions of the European Social Fund (ESF) in the area of social inclusion.
Background report: "The European Social Fund and disability"

This study focuses on the ESF achievements concerning the inclusion of disabled people into the labour market.
Communication from the Commission: "Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative - Innovation Union" [COM(2010) 546 final]
"The review of Council Directive 2003/72/EC of 22 July 2003 supplementing the Statute for a European cooperative society with regard to the involvement of employees"
EUROPEAN POLICY BRIEF: "Tackling Social Exclusion through Social Innovation: Strategy Research Options"
Follow-up to the European Parliament Resolution on Social Economy, adopted by the Commission on 21 April 2009
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION : "Annual Policy Strategy for 2010" - COM (2009) 73 final
Expert study on Social and Health Services of General Interest in the European Union commissioned by the European Commision
European Commission’s consultation: "Reforming the Budget, Changing Europe: A Public Consultation Paper in view of the 2008/2009 Budget Review"