Juan Antonio Pedreño during his keynote speech.
More than 10.000 participants from 100 countries gathered in Bordeaux for the Global Social Economy Forum (GSEF), reaffirming that the social economy is not a marginal alternative, but a transformative force.
Social Economy Europe (SEE) was actively present, contributing to key debates, sharing the European perspective, and highlighting the Social Economy as a transformative force shaping fair and sustainable futures worldwide.
As the social economy reference point at European level, Social Economy Europe took part in multiple sessions, including plenaries and thematic roundtables, and co-organised a unique participatory session on the Social and Solidarity Economy across the EU. The presence of SEE President Juan Antonio Pedreño among the keynote speakers underlined the growing recognition of Europe’s leadership in advancing social economy policies and cooperation at global level.
The Forum was an opportunity to take the temperature of the state of recognition and development of Social and Solidarity Economy at a global scale, as well as to address ongoing challenges. As it took place in Europe, special attention was given to the EU context, including the implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan and the role of Europe as a driver of international partnerships.
Here we present Social Economy Europe’s takeaways and contributions on the most relevant topics addressed during the Forum.
Keynote: Juan Antonio Pedreño, President of SEE
Juan Antonio Pedreño (SEE President) was invited to give keynote speech at the plenary session on the relevance of the social economy in Europe and globally:
“In the EU, the Social Economy comprises 4.3 million enterprises, generates 6.5% of employment, contributes 8% to GDP, and has a turnover of nearly 1 trillion euros. This cannot be overlooked.”
Beyond the figures, he stressed the added value of the social and solidarity economy (SSE): social and territorial cohesion, inclusive employment, solidarity and economic democracy. He underlined that the Social Economy cannot be the one to bear the cost of today’s global excesses and that its values must be amplified and placed at the heart of the transition towards a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
Pedreño called for stronger visibility and cooperation within the movement:
“I invite you all to work together so that we can make a real impact, to become more visible — because what is not recognised is not valued — and because we are providing answers in these difficult times the world is going through”
He announced that Social Economy Europe will support a working meeting of the United Nations Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy, which will take place on 4–5 December in Murcia, as a concrete step to consolidate international cooperation and promote the growth of the social economy globally.
Pedreño concluded by stressing the shared mission of the social economy: “Together, we ensure that Europe moves forward to its values — with greater competitiveness, more innovation, stronger solidarity, and a more vibrant social economy.”
Building strong Social and Solidarity Economy around the world
The Forum was a key moment to meet the global SSE ecosystem and supporters, from grass-roots initiatives and networks from all over the world to local and National governments that support SSE from all continents. A great opportunity to share common visions and learn from different contexts.
It was an opportunity to meet with Social Economy Europe members and partners in person. It was also an opportunity to exchange with AÉMA Group President, regional representatives and key representatives of the French SSE such as Benoit Hamon and Stéphane Montouzet, as well as officials from the French Ministry to discuss key EU policies. A special meeting with SEE and CEPES President Juan Antonio Pedreño, ESSFR President Benoit Hamon and with French members of Parliament and Senators. It was an opportunity of mutual learning and to exchange best practices from France and Spain, as well as to speak of European context.
All along the Forum a key message resonated with red thread: we are the system change needed to preserve democracy, the wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants. This underlying message was voiced by speakers from different parts of the world. There was a common understanding that we need to make this desirable future known to everyone. An economy designed to service society is already there and simply needs to spread. Some countries are indeed understanding that SSE should not be considered simply as a corrective to a failing system, rather as a powerful solution to the challenges of the world today, including digital transformation. This was particularly noticeable through examples of countries like Senegal or Brazil which are basing their economic strategy around SSE because it empowers people and maintains wealth on the territory that produced it.
Sarah de Heusch (SEE) stressed that if the world economic objectives followed the social economy principles, we would not be in the situation we live in now driven by domination, economic threats, hatred and threats to democracy. But for the seeds of system change to blossom, what we need is to move from diverse isolated initiatives to a collective movement. We need to make people proud of working, consuming, volunteering and investing in SSE. Events like the French SSE Month launched in the frame of the GSEF are interesting ways to both raise awareness about SSE and build on this sense of creating a future that works for all.
Social Economy Europe meeting with French Parlamentary and Senate representatives.
What does this mean in the European context?
The crucial role of SSE in a vibrant democracy
Threats to democracy were mentioned in several sessions and were addressed in different ways. The role of SSE in strengthening democracy through both the democratic governance it promotes in its enterprises and organisations as well as through civil society organisations was underlined.
SEE participated in a roundtable on the role of intermediaries and representative organisations in a session entitled “Without intermediaries, there is no representation: the vital role of intermediary bodies in the social and solidarity economy”. Indeed, across the EU, particularly in some countries or even within EU institutions, the mere existence of these bodies, and particularly civil society, are under attack as much as their funding.
Sarah de Heusch (SEE) recalled that intermediaries are being attacked “because democracy itself is under threat”, and representative bodies are “a pillar of democracy that must be strongly defended” as they allow for diversity of stakeholders to be acknowledged, to be given a voice and to participate in the public debate.
Other speakers reinforced this message:
“As a citizen, if you are alone, you will not be heard. This is why we must associate”, claimed Benoît Hamon (ESS France). “The associative model extends democratic participation and enables dialogue among diverse people”, added Claire Thouray (Le Mouvement Associatif). As an example, Claire Thouray referred to the large mobilisation on 11 October in France, bringing 10.000 people to the streets, a clear proof that, although intermediaries are under attack, they remain united, visible and strong.
SSE must defend democracy, remind authorities that intermediary bodies and their funding is embedded in the EU Treaty precisely to support democracy. As an ecosystem we must raise awareness about ongoing threats to EU citizens and work with allies such as unions and specifically civil society organisations.
Roundtable: Launch of the French SSE Month
SSE and Social dialogue
In the EU, labour market and economic policies are negotiated by employers, unions and States; SSE is rarely part of the negotiations. It is difficult to understand how an economy that develops in all sectors of activity and which represents about 8% of GDP is not explicitly part of this dialogue. Of course, SSE is unevenly implemented following the country or even region, and it is a diverse economy that encompasses a wide range of legal status and traditions, which makes it at times difficult to grasp. But even in countries in which SSE represents more than 10% of GDP or employment, their representatives are rarely part of the social dialogue. During a roundtable on “Social dialogue in the social and solidarity economy: a model of social innovation in Europe”, the case of UDESS (Union des Employeurs de l’Économie Sociale et Solidaire), as employers of SSE were presented as well as how they participate on the employers’ bench. Another case presented was Belgium, where SSE actors are a distinct actor from employer and employee in the social dialogue (presented by Stéphane Emmanuelidis from UNIPSO, Confédération Intersectorielle des Employeurs du Secteur à Profit Social (non marchand) en Wallonie et en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles). As it was the only case known of such integration of SSE in social dialogue, Social Economy Europe’s President claimed: “It does not make sense that an ecosystem that moves so much is not part of the social dialogue,”.
Giuseppe Guerini (Cooperatives Europe and EESC representative of Group III) added: “When you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” As a metaphor to say that if the social economy is not present in decision-making spaces, others will decide on its place, and not necessarily in its interest. On a positive note, Pascal Bolo President of SGI Europe, mentioned that at European level, they are part of social dialogue on the employers’ side, and they would be happy to help SEE sit at the table rather than to be on the menu.
SSE and local currencies: paving the way towards new forms of solidarity
SSE is valued as a force that drives social innovation, and the potential of stronger links between local currencies and SSE was striking as SEE joined the first ever European conference dedicated to local currencies which was organised as a side event of the forum. It was an opportunity to learn more about local currencies functioning, different models, and mostly their added value. In particular, during the roundtable “Resilient territories and the just transition: What role for local currencies in Europe?” speakers highlighted that local currencies are an effective way to invest in social economy enterprises and strengthen meso-economic dynamics.
“Local authorities should embrace them as strategic tools for development, resilience and transition policies”, as underlined by Mahel Coppey (RTES). “By adopting and promoting these currencies, national and local SSE actors could furthermore reinforce community-based economies, support SSE enterprises, and contribute to territorial transitions”, as emphasized by Sarah de Heusch (SEE).
“Local currencies can help rebuild alliances between the public, private and social economy sectors and offer citizens a way to “take back control” in an increasingly globalised and individualised economy”, affirms Dante Edme-Sanjurjo (Mouvement Sol).
In times where the social funding is melting rapidly, the potential of local currencies and timebanks for communities to self-organize came as evidence. A line of collaboration that should be further strengthen.
Continue to fight for the implementation of the SEAP and adapted MFF
Beyond the previous points, which offered interesting ideas and directions to explore further, the EU has a clear framework to support SSE, which is the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP) which was adopted in 2021, and which should unravel until 2030. This year is its mid-term review, which comes precisely at the beginning of the negotiations around the new Multi Financial Framework (MFF) proposal by the European Commission. These are two crucial lines of work for Social Economy Europe and the entire European SSE ecosystem.
Many SSE networks and organisations stressed the importance of further implementing the SEAP to develop a level playing field for these actors who are directly implementing solutions on the ground. SSE actors from across Europe stressed the importance of implementing the SEAP at all levels: from the EC, to the national level (in particular through the Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions) to regional and even local level. In fact, many, as Maud Caruhel (RTES) put it, called for unity in a context marked by political instability and shifting priorities. “Without policy continuity, it becomes difficult to build strong and long-lasting public policies”, she reflected.
From the European Commission, Ruth Passerman (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) stressed the importance of ensuring that the social economy remains a priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF): “Priorities have changed and although the social economy cannot contribute to areas such as defence, it has a strong and relevant role to play in fields like security, resilience and competitiveness”. In fact, the Eurobarometer that was published that same week, shows that EU citizens are in favour of SSE and adapting legal frameworks to support it.
Let’s not forget that if clear legal frameworks are crucial, adapted funding are crucial to support an action plan. And the MFF is a great exercise of aligning policy priorities with proper means, this is the ultimate test to see if the EC is walking the talk. The current state of negotiations is about a new architecture and governance of different strands of EU funding. SEE, and others, are concerned that this new architecture is going to be detrimental to SSE and social concerns broadly because both of lack of social ambition and because of the changes in rules and governance of access to such funding. This is why SEE is part of a coalition with other major EU networks which formulated clear criteria which the new MFF should meet to be successful. And if this would not be bad enough, without a proper recognition that SSE is a key ally of the EU industrial policies and prosperity, the MFF may not even sufficiently support the economic development of SE entities.
Mobilising the European ecosystem
Apparently, the EC does not seem to recognise the evidence that the Social Economy is a key ally in helping the EU achieve its objectives of improving its competitiveness, sovereignty, democracy and unique solidarity model, therefore we must mobilise its constituency.
But first we need to make clear what the European SSE stands for. Yes, we are a diverse movement made of different actors (mostly Associations, Cooperatives, Foundations, Mutuals and SE enterprises) active in all sectors of activity and what unites us are shared common principles: primacy of social objective over profit, reinvestment of profits in the social objective and democratic governance. These are the core principles defined in the EU Social Economy Action Plan, and they must not be diluted, because these principles are what allows SE to produce all the intangible added value it is known for such as: social inclusion, territorial cohesion, quality employment, or sustainable local development.
SEE will always support frameworks that encourage all enterprises to act more responsibly. But Social Economy is more than that, it represents a different economic system. It is not only about prioritising social and environmental objectives; it’s also about deciding fairly who makes the rules and who gets the benefits. In SE governance is democratic, giving workers, members, and communities a voice, and profits and resources are allocated towards the social objective rather than concentrated in the hands of a few. This is why it is crucial not to confuse “broadening the framework for socially and environmentally responsible enterprises”, which many businesses support to be more trustworthy, with “changing the very nature” of the Social Economy.
“We are a diverse economy, but we do not want to change our principles. They define what we are by how we do things and they make us unique as these 3 combined principles (social objectives, democratic governance, and reinvestment in the social objective) are the ingredients that enable our intangible and most important added values for economy and society”, stated Sarah de Heusch.
And as “why we do things” is as important as “how we do things”, Social Economy Europe co-organised the only fishbowl session which was entitled “SSE Across the EU: Working Together for Democracy and Solidarity” with RIPESS, the participation of FEBEA, REVES and ECOLYSE. This session was built on discussions initiated at the European Social Economy Summit in Murcia last September. The session used a fishbowl format to allow participatory exchange and find the space to build common actions and strategies. The participants represented SE organisations, networks, cities and research institutions. They all stressed the need to raise awareness amongst SSE actors, because, as Sarah de Heusch (SEE) said, “many people are doing social economy without knowing it”.
Each participant mentioned specific actions and collaborations to be strengthened:
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- The importance of outreach to young generations and schools wasstressed by Erdmuthe Klaer (REVES): “We must step outside our comfort zone, particularly to engage with younger generations and educational institutions”.
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- The strategic role of ethical banks: “In general, banks open more [political] doors, which gives ethical banks a strategic advantage compared to other social economy actors, who are not always given the same level of attention. However, this visibility also comes with the responsibility of being pedagogical and explaining our added value”, shared Daniel Sorrosal (FEBEA).
These collaborations are essential, not only because they bring social and economic value, or because social economy’s model inherently supports democracy, but also because in times of major change, we often see crises coming before they happen: “The social economy is like a canary in the mine, it can detect crises earlier because it works at grassroots level”, Ana Margarita Esteves (University of Lisbon).
Juan Antonio Pedreño speaking during the session on Social Dialogue
Conclusion
The Global Social Economy Forum in Bordeaux was an excellent opportunity to showcase the Social Economy as a strong and solution-driven actor. The Forum’s motto, “Another world is already there”, reflected that the principles of the social and solidarity economy are already in practice around the globe. The challenge now is to reach those who are not yet aware of it and to make sure governing bodies take into account the clear data that demonstrates SSE’s added value. In a time when people are calling for radical change, the social economy represents a positive change, one built on diversity, dialogue, solidarity, and democracy, and committed to an economy that puts people and collective initiatives above capital.
Today, it carries the responsibility of reviving the ideals of the Philadelphia Declaration, reminding the world that lasting peace can only be achieved when grounded in social justice. Driven by social movements, civil society, and collective enterprises, it remains a vital force for democracy and a cornerstone of a fairer, more inclusive global future.
SEE participated in the writing of the Bordeaux Declaration and calls upon all the SSE worldwide to support the engagement written in the declaration. GSEF’s next meeting is in 2 years in Brazil, it will be an opportunity to see how far we will have gone, let’s make sure we can broadcast clear advancements. SEE engages in pushing them through at EU level with the European SSE ecosystem from grassroots initiatives to the highest EU networks, by coordinating with local, regional, national governments, and all EU institutions.
Ruth Paserman (European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) at the session Building a Europe of the social and solidarity economy: strategies and recognition.
