Launch of Social Economy in Europe: Contributing to Competitiveness and Prosperity

Social economy is increasingly emerging as a driving force behind more inclusive, people-centred economies in Europe. This session will unveil the latest joint EC/OECD report, which looks into the social economy’s growing contribution to the care and housing sectors. It also explores three key framework conditions shaping its development: effective institutional arrangements across levels of government, tailored business support, and taxation policies that enable social economy actors to thrive. 

Amal Chevreau, Head of Unit, Social Economy and Innovation, OECD

Margit Perko, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Moderator: Miia Rossi-Gray, Team leader – Social economy - Social & Inclusive Entrepreneurship Unit, DG EMPL, European Commission

Paving the way for stronger enabling conditions

Strong framework conditions are essential to the growth and long-term development of the social economy. This session will bring together experts and policy makers to discuss how to reinforce the key enabling conditions that allow the social economy to flourish. Drawing on insights from the new EC/OECD report, the discussion will explore three critical areas: effective institutional arrangements across all levels of government, robust and tailored business support ecosystems, and taxation frameworks that recognise and incentivise the unique value of social economy organisations. Participants will delve into practical strategies to strengthen these foundations and unlock the full potential of the social economy in Europe.

From ministries to local city halls

• Ivan Vidiš, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy (Croatia)
• Jaime Iglesias, Special Commissioner for Social Economy, Ministry of Labour and Social Economy (Spain)

Business support for scaling

• Alessandra Medici, Project Manager, ART-ER – Emilia-Romagna Joint Stock Consortium (Italy)
• Grzegorz Wach, Country Director, NESsT (Poland) 

Taxation to support impact

• Bert Brys, Head of the County Tax Policy Unit, Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, OECD
• Albert Raedler, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission

Moderator: Nadim Ahmad, Deputy Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD 

Advancing sectoral applications of the social economy

Across Europe, demand for care and housing services continues to rise, and the social economy is playing an increasingly important role in responding to these needs. This session will explore how social economy organisations provide quality, affordable and human-centred services in these sectors, drawing on insights from the new EC/OECD report. Experts and practitioners will discuss key developments, practical approaches, and what is needed to support further progress.

Solutions for people-centred care

• Aoife Smith, Director, and Nelia Rareza, Board Chairperson and Co-founder, The Great Care Co-op (Ireland)
• Diana Dovgan, Secretary General, CECOP (Europe)

Making housing inclusive and affordable

• Gerald Koessl, Researcher, Federation of Limited-Profit Housing Associations (Austria) 

• Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General, Housing Europe

What’s next : the way forward

Brigitte Fellahi-Brognaux, Head of Unit, Social and Inclusive Entrepreneurship, DG EMPL, European Commission

Nadim Ahmad, Deputy Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD