Welcome to the EU Social Economy Gateway
Find information for and about the social economy in Europe.
Learn more about:
- the concept of social economy
- the social economy action plan
- funding opportunities
- social economy ecosystems in the EU Member States
- and much more!
What's new?
- New stakeholder article added: State of play of the Social Economy in Wallonia and Brussels 2024: a new edition
- Boosting Socially Responsible Public Procurement Community on the EU Academy is now available.
- New EC/OECD flagship publication "Social Economy in Europe. Contributing to Competitiveness and Prosperity" added to resources section
- Online launch event for EC/OECD report "Social Economy in Europe. Contributing to Competitiveness and Prosperity" on 5 December 2025 added to events list.
- Call for evidence and public consultation EU Public Procurement Directives added
- The Special Eurobarometer on the "Social Economy in the life of Europeans" has been published.
- New Horizon call for bottom-up social entrepreneurship to co-create neighbourhoods aligned with the New European Bauhaus, added.
- New topic in focus page added: Socially Responsible Procurement
- New stakeholder article added: Job Retention and Ensuring Business Continuity through Workers’ Buyouts: The REWIND Project Experience
- New stakeholder article added: Business, Social, One Vision
- A study on labels for the social economy has been published
Social economy action plan – time horizon: 2030
With more than 60 actions outlined in the action plan for the social economy, the European Commission is dedicated to implementing an ambitious programme to improve the framework conditions for the social economy.
We hope to count on your support to help us achieve our common goals.
A mid-term review of the implementation of the action plan is planned for 2025.
On the ground
A new edition of the 'État des lieux de l’économie sociale' provides updated figures on the social economy and employment in Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region.
The REWIND project promotes Workers’ Buyouts as a way to preserve jobs, sustain local economies, and build fairer businesses through cooperative ownership.
Austria’s new Verified Social Enterprise Label brings official recognition to its 2,500 impact-driven organisations — boosting visibility, credibility, and momentum for the social economy.