Brussels, 07/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - In order to increase the share of the European market of social businesses, whose activities are seen as more virtuous, the European Commission on Wednesday 7 December presented a proposed regulation which aims to create a European label. This aims to support private investments in social entrepreneurship made, in the majority of cases, by investment funds. However, these funds, which will be specifically earmarked for social enterprises, are hard to come by and the transfer of investments on an international level “is needlessly complicated and expensive”, says the Commission. The label, known as “European social entrepreneurship fund”, aims to promote the development of social businesses on the European market, which currently represent just 10% of all businesses (and nearly 11 million jobs), by establishing a clear framework in all the countries of the EU. In order to increase the visibility of the investment funds, which provide that 70% of their capital is earmarked for social enterprises, the Commission is proposing standard rules on investor information, particularly as regards the financial results, but also relating to the social efforts made by these businesses. Visibility and quality guarantee aim to promote a type of company which Commissioner Michel Barnier (internal market) describes as the incarnation of “intelligent, inclusive, sustainable development, based on the innovation the European economy needs today”. (JK/transl.fl)