Thematic Guidance Fiche: Social Economy and Social Enterprises (Thematic objective 9)

Social enterprises can play a unique role in identifying unmet needs and in developing new types of service. According to the EU Social Business Initiative, the social economy employs over 11 million people in the EU, accounting for 6% of total employment. It covers bodies with a specific legal status (cooperatives, foundations, associations, mutual societies). The social economy and social entrepreneurship are also a tool for social inclusion. They often provide employment opportunities for people facing disadvantages or provide social services and/or goods and services to persons in risk of poverty or exclusion. They are also often involved in civil society initiatives aiming at social change and social innovation.