On Thursday 9 December, the European Commission presented an action plan to support the social economy in Europe, with non-binding measures due to the limits of the European treaties. The plan includes a recommendation and various guidelines for Member States.
As previously reported (see EUROPE 12849/11), the European Commission will propose an EU Council Recommendation on the development of framework conditions for the social economy in 2023.
This recommendation will invite policy makers to better adapt policy and legal frameworks to the needs of social economy entities and to provide recommendations on a range of policies (employment, State aid, public procurement, taxation, research, education and training, and statistical collection).
In addition, the EU institution intends to issue guidance to Member States on tax frameworks for social economy organisations and to facilitate access to State aid, as well as guidance to clarify the tax treatment of cross-border public benefit donations affecting foundations and associations.
New European Social Economy Portal
In addition, the European Commission will launch a new European Social Economy Portal in 2023 to better communicate to social economy actors about funding opportunities, policies, training and other European initiatives.
It proposes the launch of a study on existing social economy labels and certification schemes in the Member States, in order to identify good practices, common features and criteria and, eventually, to explore the possibility of voluntary mutual recognition.
As for access to finance, the European Commission wants to increase the level of support for the social economy within the framework of European funds. In 2022, it will also launch new financial products under the InvestEU programme.
On the external side, the EU institution wants to promote the social economy and social entrepreneurship through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to the EU and in the neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instruments.
To consult the action plan: https://bit.ly/3lPkJYc (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)