Philippe Courard puts social economy on the agenda
This October 27th and 28th, “The Social Economy and the Europe 2020 Strategy” conference organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in collaboration with the Regions, European organisations and the sector responsible for the social economy, emphasised the important role the social economy will play at the European level in the implementation of the EU 2020 strategy.
The social economy accounts for over 10% of companies Europe-wide and for over 11 million stable jobs. In Belgium, the social economy sector has 929 companies with 12,156 salaried employees. The social value added by the social economy clearly contributes to the creation of new jobs and to economic development.
In addition, Philippe Courard, the Secretary of State for Social Integration and the Fight Against Poverty emphasised that the social economy provides answers with respect to the inclusion of disadvantaged groups and, more precisely, in terms of active inclusion, training and the integration of vulnerable groups. A policy of support for the social economy therefore strengthens actions to fight poverty.
The social economy seeks to implement a more balanced social and economic development model that promotes bridges between groups that are disadvantaged on the labour market. Among the recommendations supported by the Conference, Secretary of State Philippe Courard insisted on three priorities:
- The social economy-sustainable development link, given the development prospects this sector provides for the social economy
- The social economy sector’s need for access to the legal and financial support indispensable for its development
- The efforts required to provide greater visibility and recognition to the social economy.
By backing and supporting these recommendations in the name of the Trio, the Belgian Presidency intends to convey a strong political message by inviting Member States and European Union institutions and bodies to work for greater recognition for the actors of the social economy and to give this sector the resources needed for its development and growth.
Secretary of State Philippe Courard invited the Hungarian Presidency, in particular, to ensure continuity and follow-up of these recommendations both with the Member States and with the European institutions.
