2. Social economy & knowledge
- Organizing participativelearning processes and vocational
trainings aimed at personal capacity building and empowerment is
one of the foundations of social economy organizations. Social
economy organizations are very often considered, at EU level, as
mere instruments aiming at integrating less skilled workers into
the labor market. If this is indeed an important task of many
social economy organizations, espcacially the so-called wises (work
insertion social enterprises), this cast a shadow on an important
dimension of many social economy enterprises, which are delivering
high quality goods and services. When both objectives are pursued,
then the only way to reconcile them is investing in training and
life long learning.Further exchange and knowledge building on non
formal learning systems is needed.
3. SE as knowledge facilitator
- The Lisbon insistence on knowledge economy has been replaced by
another insistence on smart growth. Keeping pace with innovation
requires indeed not only knowledge, but also research and training.
However, the focus on intensive (academic, high tech) knowledge and
on high-skilled jobs should not refrain from also developing
extensive (practical) knowledge, aiming at promoting basic skills
for the many. Only then can we more fully tap into our human
potential.
4. SE as knowledge facilitator
- In the new EU strategy and in the recent single market act,
training, including vocational training, and life-long learning are
seen as means towards growth and employment rather than as
essential ways towards social cohesion. In the present demographic
context, a better balance should be struck between economic and
social objectives. Social economy enterprises are key players in
this respect. To be successful, further initiatives are needed to
transfer and export knowledge, based on the values of the social
economy.
5. SE Sustainable business driver
- Recognize the historical experience of the social economy on
(social) green jobs, build on this experience and work on its
transferability
- Instead of making the distinction between social and
environmental clauses, broader them into quality of life clauses
and clarify the interpretation of these clauses
- Base the European policies on the experience of social economy
for the management of the Commons. Promote the education on
citizenship and the citizen involvement in the management of the
Commons.
6. SE as a vector for inclusion
- Social economy enterprises must work on their visibility that
will lead to recognition at different institutional level as well
the other actors of the economy
- The WS proposes the creation of a joint working group SPC EMCO,
asks for the integration of social economy in NAP and integration
in structural funds
- Innovation should be promoted within the sector, for example
through specific fundings as social innovation could lead to a
better achievement of the social objectives and empowerment of the
citizens, better research and development strategy and more local
sustainable job creation and innovation in the innovation in
governance represents a model for regular enterprises
- Social clauses are possible and should be promoted through
exchange of practices and learning programs intended for civil
servants and social economy enterprises
