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EU Social Economy Gateway

Social economy strategies

As part of the implementation of the action plan for the social economy, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions on 13 June 2023. The Recommendation was subsequently adopted by the Council on 27 November 2023.

This legal act recommends Member States to design and roll out strategies that recognise and stimulate the social economy. This page provides some useful information on how these strategies can be effectively developed and implemented.

Why are social economy strategies needed?

For the potential of the social economy to be fully realised, the right policies and legal frameworks need to be in place. These need to be tailored to the unique characteristics of the social economy and address the specific challenges these organisations face. Effective frameworks should include a variety of support measures, creating a financial, administrative, and legal environment that meets the needs of the social economy.

A strategy is a forward-looking document that outlines a clear vision with specific goals. It serves as a roadmap, providing the policy steer and political commitment needed to establish these frameworks. Such strategies may encompass regulatory measures, policy initiatives or adjustments, and other actions to support the contribution of social economy organisations to social and environmental goals and to enhance their economic and industrial value.

The five building blocks

Building blocks

A comprehensive strategy for the social economy should take into account five essential building blocks: 

  1. Vision and objectives
  2. Administrative and institutional set-up
  3. Consultation mechanisms
  4. Visibility and recognition
  5. Monitoring and evaluation

Watch the video below for an overview of the five building blocks. We briefly explain each of them further down this page. 

If you would like to learn more about the building blocks, as well as the success factors and potential pitfalls to avoid in a social economy strategy, we recommend reading this thematic discussion paper, which was prepared for a mutual learning activity organised for public officials in March-June 2024.

1. Vision & objectives

2. Administrative & institutional set-up

You can find more information on these first two building blocks, including examples of how Member States have applied them, in the following flash report of a mutual learning workshop organised in March 2024.

3. Consultation mechanisms

4. Visibility & recognition

Legal frameworks for the social economy also help to increase its visibility and recognition. Every EU country has adopted at least one law on specific legal forms of social economy organisations, with some having national framework law for the social economy as a whole. These frameworks can support the vision and objectives set out in social economy strategies and provide a legal basis for an array of complementary policies and public programmes.

To learn more about legal frameworks for the social economy, explore the videos and publications below.

5. Monitoring & evaluation

You may find more information on these last three building blocks in the following report of a mutual learning workshop organised in April 2024. Further down you can also find a flash report on a mutual learning workshop on legal frameworks for the social economy organised in June 2024 .

Summary

Looking for a quick summary of the information provided in this page? Have a look at the document below.

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  • General publications
  • 17 July 2024
Social economy strategies at a glance

This document provides an overview of the building blocks for developing strategies to promote and support the social economy, based on the findings of workshops organised by the European Commission. The document highlights the importance of a clear vision, effective stakeholder involvement, robust administrative structures and increased visibility and recognition of social economy organisations. It also stresses the need for comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of social economy strategies. Each building block is accompanied by examples of good practice from Member States.

State of play

Some countries and regions have already developed social economy strategies that can inspire other public authorities. Below you can find a map showing which EU countries have developed strategies for the social economy and social enterprises. The information on this map is not exhaustive - let us know if any important updates are missing!

If you are curious about the practical details of designing and implementing a strategy, take a look at the discussion papers further down. These papers cover the social economy or social enterprise strategies in Finland, Ireland, and Île-de-France.

Assess social entrepreneurship policies in your country

The Better Entrepreneurship Policy Tool is a free online self-assessment and learning tool designed to help policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders create and implement effective policies and programmes that support social and inclusive entrepreneurship. It helps users to assess their current policies, identify areas for improvement, and develop dedicated strategies. The tool includes self-assessment questionnaires, policy guidance notes, and case studies to support policy design.

Click here to access the tool