Social Services Europe has issued a structured response to the five questions raised by the European Commission's in the Call for Evidence on the "Mid-Term Review Social Economy Action Plan."
In the statement, SSE underscores the vital role social economy actors play in delivering accessible services, fostering social inclusion, and strengthening communities—especially for particular populations such as older people, people with disabilities, migrants, and those experiencing poverty.
SSE welcomes major achievements of the Action Plan, including the Council Recommendation on Social Economy Framework Conditions and the creation of the EU Social Economy Gateway. The reply also highlights the need for more investment in social services, improved working conditions, and better access to funding, public procurement opportunities, and state aid.
Looking ahead, SSE urges the EU to:
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Enhance socially responsible public procurement and supportive taxation policies;
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Invest in workforce development in social services;
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Ensure stronger inclusion of social economy actors in policy design and EU funding programmes;
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Promote visibility and usability of tools like the Social Economy Gateway
With a growing sector employing over 11 million people in the EU, SSE’s contribution reaffirms the social economy as a key pillar of Europe’s future—equally social and sustainable.
Read the full statement here and to know more about SSE's position on this topic, please read the "SSE Proposals for the Implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan - From Ambition to Implementation".