INTERVIEW: One year after the EU’s Social Economy Action Plan was unveiled, a key architect of the plan tells us why consensus came quickly, why there may be a silver lining in today’s crises – and why his biggest fear is ‘blurred lines’ and social-washing.
Statement signed by 22 social economy ministers and top officials says common definition will respect individual national traditions – while unprecedented high-level gathering sends “strong political signal”, says France’s secretary of state.
A European status would enable social enterprises to gain recognition across member states and take advantage of single market, according to Nicolas Schmit – while fellow EU official Thierry Breton says social economy crucial to future of bloc.
Is the European Commission now “in love with” the social economy? Detailed package of measures to promote social enterprises, cooperatives, charities and more is hailed as “huge development for our sector”.
