memorandum - social economy europe
TRANSCRIPT
E u r o p e a n P a r l i a m e n t
2 0 1 4 – 2 0 1 9
MEMORANDUM S
OC
IAL
EC
ON
OM
Y &
TH
E E
UR
OP
EA
N P
AR
LIA
ME
NT
The European elections of 2014 are the opportunity to put in place actions tapping into the potential of social economy to face important challenges of the society. In this respect, the European Parliament has a decisive role to play in ensuring that these demands are fully heard and acknowledged by all the European institutions, and are reflected in European policies that meet the needs and concerns of all EU citizens.
Page 2
The European Par l iament ’s Social Economy Inter group
C r e a t e d i n 1 9 9 0 , t h e S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p o f t h e E u r o p e a n P a r l i a m e n t h a s e s t a b l i s h e d a n i m p r e s s i v e
t r a c k r e c o r d a s a p l a tf o r m a n d f a c i l i t a t o r o f t h e i n t e r - p a r l i a m e n t a r y d i a l o g u e a n d a s a l i n k i n g p i n b e t w e e n
t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y s e c t o r a n d M e m b e r s o f P a r l i a m e n t . W i t h n e a l y 5 0 M E P s a n d 3 0 s e c t o r o r g a n i s a ti o n s , t h e
S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p o f t h e E u r o p e a n P a r l i a m e n t o ff e r s i m p o r t a n t n e t w o r k i n g o p p o r t u n i ti e s a n d a n
i n v a l u a b l e s o u r c e o f i n f o r m a ti o n a b o u t t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y s e c t o r i n t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n .
T h e r a ti o n a l e b e h i n d t h e S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p i s r o o t e d i n t h e d i v e r s i t y o f t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y w h i c h
c o v e r s a v a r i e t y o f k e y p o l i c y a r e a s i n t h e E u r o p e a n U n i o n . T h e E u r o p e a n P a r l i a m e n t h a s r e c o g n i z e d t h e
i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y a t E u r o p e a n l e v e l t h r o u g h t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e S o c i a l E c o n o m y
I n t e r g r o u p .
T o d a y , t h e S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p i s c o - c h a i r e d b y I t a l i a n M E P R a ff a e l e B A L D A S S A R R E ( E P P ) a n d B e l g i a n
M E P M a r c T A R A B E L L A ( S & D ) . T h e v i c e - p r e s i d e n t s a r e t h e G e r m a n M E P S v e n G I E G O L D ( G r e e n s - E F A ) , I t a l i a n
M E P P a t r i z i a T O I A ( S & D ) a n d t h e F r e n c h M E P M a r i e - C h r i s ti n e V E R G I A T ( G U E / N G L ) .
A s e c r e t a r i a t , c o m p o s e d o f p a r l i a m e n t a r y a s s i s t a n t s a n d S O C I A L E C O N O M Y E U R O P E , p r o v i d e s
l o g i s ti c a l s u p p o r t t o t h e a c ti v i ti e s o f t h e I n t e r g r o u p .
T h e o b j e c ti v e s o f t h e E u r o p e a n P a r l i a m e n t ’ s S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p a r e t o :
P r o m o t e t h e e x c h a n g e o f v i e w s o n t h e p o l i c i e s a n d l e g i s l a ti o n r e l a t e d t o t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y
C o n s ti t u t e a r e g u l a r d i a l o g u e b e t w e e n M E P s a n d s o c i a l e c o n o m y a c t o r s
B r i n g t o g e t h e r M E P s f r o m a l l p o l i ti c a l g r o u p s a n d a l l t h e M e m b e r S t a t e s
E n s u r e t h a t t h e E u r o p e a n i n s ti t u ti o n s s h a l l t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t t h e i n t e r e s t s o f t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y a n d i t s
a c t o r s i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a n d t h e i m p l e m e n t a ti o n o f p o l i c i e s .
P a g e 3
C a t a l o g t i t l e C a t a l o g S u b t i t l e
The Importance of Social Economy in the European Union
S o c i a l e c o n o m y i s a n i m p o r t a n t r e a l i t y i n E u r o p e , p r o v i d i n g p a i d e m p l o y m e n t t o o v e r 1 4 . 5
m i l l i o n E u r o p e a n c i ti z e n s a n d r e p r e s e n ti n g a b o u t 6 . 5 % o f t h e w o r k i n g p o p u l a ti o n o f t h e E U . I n c o u n t r i e s s u c h
a s B e l g i u m , I t a l y , F r a n c e , S p a i n a n d t h e N e t h e r l a n d s i t a c c o u n t s f o r b e t w e e n 9 % a n d 1 1 . 5 % o f t h e w o r k i n g
p o p u l a ti o n . P a r ti c u l a r l y i n t h e c u r r e n t p e r i o d o f e c o n o m i c a n d s o c i a l c r i s e s , s o c i a l e c o n o m y i s a b l e t o
b r i n g i n n o v a ti v e s o l u ti o n s f o r s o c i a l c o h e s i o n a n d i n c l u s i o n , j o b c r e a ti o n , e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l s p i r i t , g r o w t h a n d
t h e p r o m o ti o n o f a c ti v e c i ti z e n s h i p .
S o c i a l e c o n o m y i s a s c h o o l o f t h o u g h t w h i c h i n t e g r a t e s t h e c o n s t r a i n t s o f t h e e c o n o m y a n d s o c i a l
c o n s i d e r a ti o n s . A s s t a t e d i n t h e S i n g l e M a r k e t A c t “ t h e s o c i a l e c o n o m y a n d s o c i a l e n t e r p r i s e s a r e k e y a c t o r s
i n d e l i v e r i n g s o c i a l i n n o v a ti o n , i n c l u s i v e n e s s a n d t r u s t . H a r n e s s i n g c o n fi d e n c e i n t h e S i n g l e M a r k e t a n d
s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e s o c i a l m a r k e t e c o n o m y d e m a n d s h i g h l y r e s p o n s i b l e a n d i n n o v a ti v e c o m p a n i e s w h i c h c a n
m a k e a p o s i ti v e i m p a c t o n s o c i e t y a n d t h e e n v i r o n m e n t ” .
S o c i a l e c o n o m y a c t o r s a r e d e e p l y r o o t e d i n t h e l o c a l r e a l i ti e s a n d a b l e t o i n t e r p r e t e m e r g i n g
s o c i a l n e e d s a n d p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e s o l u ti o n s . H i s t o r i c a l l y , t h e y h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o j o b c r e a ti o n a n d h a v e
l a r g e l y c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e i n c l u s i o n o f d i s a d v a n t a g e d g r o u p s , a l s o b y l i n k i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d s o c i a l
m a tt e r s . I t i s p r e c i s e l y f o r i t s p o s i ti v e i m p a c t o n t h e s o c i e t y , t h e e c o n o m y a n d t h e e n v i r o n m e n t t h a t
s o c i a l e c o n o m y h a s b e e n r e c o g n i z e d b y E U I n s ti t u ti o n s . T h e s e c o n d i ti o n s – p r o m o ti o n o f a c ti v e c i ti z e n s h i p ,
i n c l u s i v e n e s s a n d t r u s t – a r e e s s e n ti a l s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e r e i s a p l a c e f o r e v e r y o n e i n o u r s o c i e t y .
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“ I t i s i m p or ta n t th a t t he P ar l ia m e n t
u nd e r s ta n d s be tt e r th e r e a l i t y an d
v ar ie ty of s o c ia l e c on o my .”
“The Social Economy Intergroup almost celebrates its
25 years of existence and has proven itself over that
time. The Intergroup is important for MEPs to get an
overview and understanding of the diversity and
activities of the sector.
The hearings of the Intergroup give MEPs, the social
economy and the stakeholders the opportunity to
share views and opinions and so to jointly contribute
to the development of supportive policies. Thanks to
the intergroup and the work of its members, the
social economy truly is within sight of the European
Parliament.”
Marc Tarabella,
Co-Chair of the Intergroup
“ T he s o c ia l e c o n o my de l i v e r s t h e
E U c i tiz e n a se r v i ce . H e sh o u l d n o t
be a t t h e se r v i ce of e c on o m y . ”
“As a co-Chair of the Intergroup I supported various
policy initiatives and contributed to the development
of the social economy in the European Union. The
social economy is important in both social as well in
economic terms. The sector provides employment to
tens of millions of Europeans. Social economy is a
reality that we cannot and should not underestimate.
The sector integrates underutilized resources for
economic activities, mobilizes resources at a local
level, and strengthens the entrepreneurial spirit.
Social economy stands for growth of employment and
sustainable development and softens the sharp edges
of the market.”
“ T he s o c ia l e c o n o my s h o ul d be
f u l l y r e c o g n iz e d , e s pe c i a l l y i n
t h i s e c o no m i ca l ly d i ffi c ul t ti me .”
“The social economy should be supported in its
further development. It is our chance to get out of the
current financial and economic crisis. It is therefore a
duty for politicians and policy makers within the
European institutions to do their utmost to create an
environment conducive to the further development of
the sector.
The European Parliament should redouble its
commitment to the spreading of the visibility and
understanding of the social economy sector. We are
on the right track, but not done yet. The next years
will be important for the further development and
appreciation of the social economy sector and thus for
the future of the European Union.”
P a g e 5
C a t a l o g t i t l e C a t a l o g S u b t i t l e
“ T he S o c ia l Ec o n o my I n te r gr o u p i s
a g o o d p la tf or m f o r e x c ha n g in g
id e a s a n d p o l i ti ca l pr i or iti e s . ”
“I became only recently a Member of the intergroup.
In the last months I enjoyed taking part in this very
important platform for exchanging ideas and set
political priorities for a sector which plays a valuable
role especially in the current period of economic and
social crisis.
The Intergroup is an important tool to contribute to
the development of social policies at European level.
It brings together Members of the Parliament, experts
and stakeholders linking people from different
political parties and Member States.
The Intergroup provides also a good setting to
increase the attention to social economy within the
European Parliament.”
Raffaele Baldassarre,
Co-Chair of the Intergroup
“ S o c ia l e c o n o my p l ay s a
f u n da m e n t a l r o le f or Eur o p e a n
in t e gr ati o n .”
“The impact of social economy can be quantified by
looking at the employment provided by this sector as
well as to the services provided to local and regional
realities. On the other hand, the most valuable impact
of social economy is in terms of values and
inclusiveness. For this reason social economy is key
for the European integration process. It allows to
integrate economic sustainability with societal and
environmental interests. It gives local
communities the possibility to find collective solutions
to problems which would be difficult to solve
individually. In this context, social economy plays a
key role for the development of specific sectors at
local level which are able to bring innovative solutions
and products on the markets such as in the case of
renewable energy providers.”
“ W e ne e d m o r e s e c t or - b a se d a n d
s pe c i fi c l e g i s l ati o n t o s up p or t th e
i mp a c t of s oc i a l e c o n o my .”
“The Toia report of 2009 has set key principles for
social economy and has paved the way for the
development of further policies. In this context, the
Commission has launched several initiatives to
support progress in social economy throughout
the European Union like, for instance, with the Social
Business Initiative or with the renewed European
Strategy for CSR.
In the years to come we need more sectorial
legislation in order to set a solid legal framework for
mutuals, foundations and associations which are
active in social economy. Future legislation should
tackle specific problems of the sector in order to
provide all involved actors with equal access to the
opportunities offered by the internal market.”
Page 6
“ W e ha v e t o sa f e g ua r d t he
e x ch a n ge of i n f or m ati o n be t w e e n
s t ake h o l de r s a n d p o l i tic i an s .”
“I’m a member of the Social Economy Intergroup
since I became a Member of the Parliament in 2004.
Over the last ten years I learnt that it has been an
excellent platform for the exchange of ideas with
people from the sector.
The Social Economy Intergroup has proven to be a
breeding ground for many good ideas, policy
initiatives and reports. Thanks to the close
collaboration with the stakeholders in the Intergroup I
was able to draft a report that has proposed an
outline for the further development of the social
economy in the European Union. It is vital for the
Parliament and the social economy that this
Intergroup continues to ensure the exchange of
information and a continuous dialogue with the
stakeholders .”
Patrizia Toia,
Member of the Bureau
“ De s p i te t he c r i s i s , t h e s oc i a l
e c o n o my s e c t or s ho w s dy n a mi s m ,
r e s i l i e nc e an d e v e n gr ow t h .”
“The Social economy is an important sector in the
European Union. It provides paid employment to over
14.5 million citizens or 6.5% of the working
population. It is therefore an important and growing
sector, which even the classical liberal economists will
admit. No-one can deny its dynamics and resilience.
The social economy deserves full recognition and full
support to further develop. It combines economic
sustainability with human and environmental values.
It contributes to the welfare state, job creation, social
innovation and good governance. all this without a
financial profit orientation. Social economy has its
own place in the internal market and it has chosen to
put values before profits.”
“ T h i s le g i s la t ur e ha s br o u gh t a
r e v e r s a l , w hi c h s h o ul d be r e fl e c t e d
in t he ne x t fi v e y e ar s . ”
“The social economy sector deserves the support of
the European institutions with both general as well as
with specific legislation. The legislator should take into
account the specificities of the actors of the social
economy sector and provide them with equal chances
and instruments in the internal market.
This is the good moment to start developing new
strategies to harness the social economy
entrepreneurs. The EU understands the importance of
their contributions to the European society. The
Strasbourg declaration of January 2014 has identified
excellent opportunities that should be fully exploited
in the next five years to make sure that the
reversal in thinking and in acting continues.”
P a g e 7
C a t a l o g t i t l e C a t a l o g S u b t i t l e
“ T h e S o c i a l E c o n o m y I n t e r g r o u p
i s a u s e f u l t o o l f o r t h e s e c t o r . ”
“The Social Economy Intergroup of the European
Parliament is important to promote the social
economy within the European institutions. It is also a
tool for dialogue with the stakeholders of the social
economy. All political groups, apart from the
Euro-skeptics and the extreme right are represented
and have the ability to start a dialogue with the
stakeholders.
Never before has the European Parliament produced
as many texts and taken as many political initiatives
supporting the social economy as during this
legislature. This shows that the members of the Social
Economy Intergroup and the European Parliament are
willing to move forward and that they are ready to
discuss important issues for the sector with the
stakeholders themselves."
Marie-Christine Vergiat,
Member of the Bureau
“ S o c ia l e c o n o my e n te r pr i se s
ar e i n n ov ati v e , r e s i l ie n t
an d r e s i s ta n t .”
“The social economy plays an important role in the
European Union. It has demonstrated solid assets
both from a quantitative and qualitative point of
view. It’s enterprises have proven to be resilient and
more resistant in times of crisis than the so-called
traditional enterprises. It is clear that the sector has
made a positive contribution to the development of
the European project. However, this is not recognized
by all, yet.
Some confusion about the expression of the real
significance of the social economy and its
conceptualization remains within the Institutions and
among policy makers. “Social economy” and “social
enterprise” are considered under the same
denominator without really knowing what is behind.
But more often, the figures put forward are those of
the social economy. We use too often a different
vocabulary, contributing to confusion.”
“ W e ha v e t o a n tic i p a t e n e w p o l i c y
in i tia tiv e s f r o m th e C o m mi s s i o n . ”
“The Parliament has indicated the way to go in the
report of MEP Patrizia Toia, adopted in 2009. It still is
our roadmap. Substantial progress has been made on
the path to legal recognition for all the families of the
social economy, but there is still a long way to go. It is
regrettable that the role of social economy
enterprises remains too often linked to the policies for
the most vulnerable only, whereas the real issue at
stake is the recognition of the specificities of the social
economy enterprises of their own values and their
business models. The freedom to carry out an
entrepreneurial activity, under whatever legal statute,
should become a reality in the European Union. We
have to anticipate new initiatives of the European
Commission. Otherwise the social economy will be
overruled by the dominant economic discourse of the
European institutions and be at risk to lose its
specificities for the benefit of capitalistic enterprises
only. There has been a positive outcome and this
must be carried on during the next legislative term in
the European Parliament.”
Page 8
“ T h e I n t e r g ro u p l in k s p e o p l e ,
p a rt i e s a n d M e m b e r S t a t e s . ”
“I have been a member of the Social Economy
Intergroup since the last legislature of the Parliament
and I must say that there is an added value of the
Intergroup as a platform and facilitator of the dialogue
between MEPs, the sector and the European
institutions.
The Intergroup links people from different parties and
from different Member States and it is a good
opportunity to give the social economy sector more
visibility in the European Parliament.”
.
Sven Giegold,
Member of the Bureau
“ T he c o nc e p t of s o c ia l e c o n o my
i s g a i n in g p op u la r i t y . ”
“Today, everybody seems to like the concept of social
economy. Its capacity to keep and to create jobs, and
to innovate while respecting social and environmental
requirements, puts social economy in the heart of the
attention of European policymakers.
But also locally, the concept of social economy is
gaining popularity. In the energy sector in Germany
for example, the number of local cooperatives and
associations is growing. By their nature they engage
citizens and so help to raise awareness and help to
turn around to renewable energy. I'm convinced that
this had never happened if it all was left to the
conventional players in the energy sector. And there is
a long list of sectors where social economy actors
support the green vision to keep jobs and to add value
to the citizens' own region.”
“ S o c i a l e c o n o my a c t o rs
s t i l l f a c e d i f f ic u l t ie s . ”
“Over the last years there has been done a lot to
support the social economy sector. The European
Commission has been supportive with its Social
Business Initiative and a lot of progress has been
made in the field of public procurement and the
access to public funding.
But there is still a lot missing, which should be taken
up as soon as possible. Social economy actors still face
difficulties in developing cross-border initiatives.
Cooperatives have to cope with a bureaucratic
instrument, whereas mutuals, foundations and
associations do not have any proper legal framework
at all.”
P a g e 9
C a t a l o g t i t l e C a t a l o g S u b t i t l e
Giegold, Sven Report of the Greens on strengthening European cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy in the context of the UN year of cooperatives (2012)
BECKER, Heinz K. Social Business Initiative - Creating a favorable climate for social enterprises, key stakeholders in the social economy and innovation (2012)
GIANNAKOU, Marietta European political parties and European political foundations: statute and funding (2012)
REGNER, Evelyn Statute for a European Foundation (FE) (2012)
BERLINGUER, Luigi Statute for a European mutual society (2012)
TOIA, Patrizia Contribution of cooperatives to overcoming the crisis (2012)
MAURO, Mario European Investment Bank - 2011 annual report (2011)
BASTOS, Regina Agenda for new skills and jobs (2011)
DAERDEN, Frédéric European Platform against poverty and social exclusion (2011)
SCICLUNA, Edward European statistical programme 2013-2017 (2011)
AUCONIE, Sophie European social entrepreneurship funds (2011)
MORIN-CHARTIER, Elisabeth European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 (2011)
CORREIA DE CAMPOS, António Fernando
Single Market for Europeans (2010)
SCHROEDTER, Elisabeth Developing the job potential of a new sustainable economy (2010)
ŐRY, Csaba Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines (2010)
DE ROSSA, Proinsias Future for social services of general interest (2009)
KIRILOV, Evgeni Cohesion Policy: Investing in the real economy (2009)
GÖNCZ, Kinga European Progress Microfinance Facility for employment and social inclusion (2009)
GÖNCZ, Kinga Employment and Social Solidarity: Progress Program 2007-2013 (2009)
REPORTS & INITIATIVES
Page 10
Publ ic hear i ngs to ex cha nge o n
prac tices a nd po l i c ies in t he E U
The Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament organizes public hearings on a regular basis. These public hearings are open to all interested MEPs and social economy stakeholders. During the last legislature, the Social Economy Intergroup has organized thematic public hearings about a broad variety of themes:
Social Economy’s response to the financial crisis
European statutes for the social economy
Financial Instruments for social economy enterprises
The new Cohesion Policy and Structural Funds
The social economy on the European agenda
Tak i ng t he in itia tive t o deve lop
favora ble po l i c ies for the se ctor
During the last legislature, members of the Parliament’s Social Economy Intergroup have triggered the demand for own initiative reports and policy initiatives. They did so to encourage policy makers to develop supporting policies for the social economy in general and its actors in particular. And they did so successfully. More than 200 documents of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee have recognized the contribution to the European project and the need to take social economy into account in all social and economic policies.
ACHIEVEMENTS & ACTIVITIES
Pav in g the way for n ew po l i cy
in i tia tives to s u pport the secto r
With a view on the upcoming European elections, the members of the Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament took the initiative to publish this Memorandum to express their visions, ideas and wishes and to stimulate the newly elected MEPs to continue their work in the next legislature.
They consider that the social economy and social economy stakeholders deserve full institutional recognition by all European Institutions and a comprehensive and consistent policy at a European level according to its strong presence in society and in economy.
P a g e 1 1
C a t a l o g t i t l e C a t a l o g S u b t i t l e
Conti nu ation of t he P ar l iament ’s
Soc ia l Eco nomy Inte r grou p
The new European Parliament should strengthen the
spaces for dialogue on social economy within the
European Parliament by establishing a successive
Social Economy Intergroup, because
Intergroups in general and a new Social Economy
Intergroup in particular facilitates the exchange
of views and opinions between the sector and
the MEPs.
A specific Intergroup for the social economy
boosts transparency in decision-making and
participation of social economy actors and EU
citizens in the development of policies.
There is a Social Economy Intergroup in place
since 1990 and it has proven to be very useful.
Str ive for fu l l implem enta tion of
the EP re port s on soc ia l e conomy
The Social Economy Intergroup members called for an
own-initiative report on Social Economy. This report,
adopted in 2009, includes lots of recommendations
and needs implementation, because
The social economy sector is still lacking
necessary (legal) instruments and tools to further
develop its activities on a level playing field.
In the “Strasbourg declaration” of January 2014,
the participants of the conference “Social
entrepreneurs: Have your say!’ called also on to
follow all actions of the Social Business Act.
Social economy actors deserve a fair and equal
treatment on the Internal market and there is a
need for a level playing field.
Su ppor t the deve lo p ment o f t he
Europ ean soc i a l eco n omy sector
The social economy sector represents more than 10%
of all EU enterprises and 6% of total employment in
the EU. It also reinforces social cohesion and civil
participation. The sector needs full support, because
It has proven to be resilient and sustainable,
even in times of financial, economic and social
crises.
It is a factor for stable and sustainable economic
growth, matching services to needs, increasing
the value of economic activities serving social
needs, fairer income and wealth distribution and
correcting labor market imbalances.
It helps deepening and strengthening economic
democracy and prosperity in the European
Union.
POLICY PRIORITES 2014-2019
