The European Pillar of Social Rights is the European Commission’s social strategy to make sure that the transitions of climate-neutrality, digitalisation and demographic change, as well as the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, are socially fair and just. It builds upon 20 key principles.
The current crisis requires recovery, resilience building and just, green & digital transitions of economies. The recovery will have to be inclusive and fair. The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a compass to tackle the social and economic challenges of our time.
To support the implementation of the Pillar and prepare the ground for the Pillar’s Action Plan (to be presented in early 2021), the Commission launched a broad discussion with all EU countries and regions and with all its partners.
Social Economy Europe's Contribution
Social Economy Europe have released our contribution which can be found here.
Our contribution focusses on lessons from the crisis such as the recognition of healthcare and other social services of general interest managed by non-for profited/limited profitability entities. On the social economy as a strong link with local communities and a care economy and the values of more cooperation, more solidarity, more democracy and people first.
It focusses on rebuilding Europe’s economic fabric stating that:
– Public authorities should support collective social economy entrepreneurship
– Social economy plays an important part in circular economy, the citizens-led production and distribution of renewable energies, sustainable housing, sustainable production of agri-food products, sustainable and micro-finance and in green urban mobility projects
– The reindustrialisation of Europe
– Social economy is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind throughout the socio-economic recovery and to provide work opportunities for everyone, including people with disabilities or at risk of social exclusion
-Social Economy is also an ally of public authorties to strengthen our welfare and social protection systems.
The contribution then expresses the importance of the Action Plan for the Social Economy and continues to call on EU Institutions to include social economy projects as an investment priority in the “Next Generation EU” regulations. The social economy is highlighted as a positive alternative to some of the challenges generated by the current business-models in the platform economy and introduces a Partnership for the upskilling and reskilling of social economy employees.
Other important contributions from Social Economy Europe’s members include:
AIM – International Association of Mutuals
Act 4 Social Europe – a joint ESS-FRANCE : Chambre Française De L’économie Sociale Et Solidaire and IPSE: Institut de la Protection Sociale Européenne contribution
Eurodiaconia – a European network of churches and Christian NGOs providing social and healthcare services and advocating social justice.
