New Report: Benchmarking the Socio-economic Performance of the EU Social Economy

A new study, “Benchmarking the Socio-Economic Performance of the EU Social Economy”, commissioned by the EU Commission, shines a spotlight on the significant contribution of the social economy to the EU’s sustainability and resilience. Coordinated by Euricse in collaboration with Ciriec International and Spatial Foresight, this extensive study highlights both the quantitative and qualitative impact of the social economy, using data collected at the national level across 27 EU countries.

The social economy, which includes co-operatives, mutuals, foundations, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations, comprises over 4.3 million entities within the EU. Of these, more than 246,000 are social enterprises, employing over 11.5 million people. These figures underscore the social economy’s vital role in creating jobs, fostering innovation, and providing essential services to EU citizens.

The study goes beyond numbers, exploring the resilience of the social economy in both traditional and emerging sectors, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the social economy’s adaptability and its capacity to fill gaps in public services, showcasing its potential to address societal needs during crises. However, the study also identifies unexpressed potential, much of which is linked to the regulatory discrepancies between EU member states, which hinder a unified approach to supporting and scaling the social economy.

Moving Towards a More Cohesive Social Economy Framework

The findings of this report come at a crucial time, as the EU Commission continues to push for greater recognition of the social economy’s contribution to a sustainable and innovative future. Regulatory differences between member states, however, remain a challenge. By addressing these disparities and creating a more cohesive framework, the social economy’s full potential can be unlocked, fostering even greater social and economic resilience across Europe.

For Euro Coop, the implications are clear: the social economy is not only an engine for job creation and social cohesion but also a critical partner in building a more sustainable Europe. Through stronger partnerships and increased cooperation at the European level, the social economy will continue to contribute meaningfully to achieving the EU’s goals for a green, digital, and inclusive future.

This benchmarking study provides essential insights into the social economy’s scale and scope within the EU, emphasizing the importance of continued investment and policy support to harness its full potential. As we move forward, fostering collaboration across borders and sectors will be key to ensuring the social economy remains a driver of innovation and sustainability in Europe.

Read the report