Combatting poverty and social exclusion: harnessing the power of the social economy and socio-economic innovations

Background

In 2022, one in five people in the EU (95.3 million, or 22% of the population) were living in poverty, according to Eurostat.

Although the number of people experiencing at least one of the three poverty and social exclusion risks (risk of poverty, severe material and social deprivation and/or living in a household with very low work intensity) has dropped since 2014, the figure underlines the challenge facing the EU.

The European Economic and Social Committee emphasises that the EU's fight against poverty and social exclusion must take into account the multiple dimensions of poverty. Poverty is not limited to one single factor: it affects various aspects, including access to employment, education, healthcare, housing, food, mobility, digital tools, energy and culture, among others. A cross-cutting approach to poverty is therefore essential to ensure the social inclusion of all people.

This opinion follows a request from the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU for the EESC to explore the strengths of the social economy and socio-economic innovations in combating poverty and social exclusion.

The EESC stresses the transformational role that an invigorated social economy, driven by grassroots socio-economic innovation, could play in delivering jobs, creating prosperity and encouraging participatory and democratic governance.

Key points

The EESC:

  • suggests that the European Commission should push forward with the Social Economy Action Plan and evaluate its outcomes in 2025 to draw lessons for a new action plan. The social economy and social innovation policy should also be part of the next Commission's work programme;
  • advocates a strong local approach involving regions and cities in policies for the social economy. Public authorities can act as drivers of local development and promote relocalisation of production and the creation of decent jobs that cannot be relocated;
  • calls on the Commission to include the social economy and social innovation in initiatives stemming from its foresight report. Although meant primarily for women, these initiatives could help get other vulnerable population groups, including people with disabilities, young people and others, into the labour market.
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Link to full opinion

 

Additional information

EESC section responsible: Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT)

Opinion type: exploratory opinion

Rapporteur: Alain Coheur (Civil Society Organisations – BE)

Co-rapporteur: Ferre Wyckmans (Workers – BE)

Date of adoption by section: 20/12/2023

Result of the vote: 52 votes in favour, none against, with no abstentions

Date of adoption by plenary: 17/1/2024

Result of the vote: 227 votes in favour, none against, with 1 abstention

 

Contacts

Daniela Marangoni

Press officer

Tel.: + 32 2 546 8422 | Mob: +32 475 99 94 32

Email: daniela.marangoni@eesc.europa.eu

Annalisa Tessarolo

Policy officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9732

Email: annalisa.tessarolo@eesc.europa.eu

Work organisation