Social enterprises for sustainable societies: Policy perspectives

In the last years a number of innovative policy initiatives have been developed place in Europe and around the world to support the development of social enterprises. These policies range from large European strategies like... [ view full abstract ]

In the last years a number of innovative policy initiatives have been developed place in Europe and around the world to support the development of social enterprises. These policies range from large European strategies like the Social Business Initiative to plans and programs focused on a given territory and its actors. These policies aim to strengthen the various actors present in the social enterprise eco-system; they address areas such as market development, capacity building, access to finance and research and development. Given the essential role of policy-making in boosting the potential of social enterprises the 6th EMES Conference closes four days of inquiry and exchange with a call for action for public administrations at all levels. While twenty years ago the request from the emerging social enterprise community was to have specific policies developed for them, nowadays an additional request has come to the front: “how” and “with whom” these policies are being built. How can policy-making better address the challenges facing social enterprises in collaboration with stakeholders ensuring processes that are inclusive toward invisibilized actors and rooted in the genuine needs of these organizations? How can a fluid multi-level governance that crosses policy areas be ensured for policy measures and tools in order to help social enterprises become sustainable?

Chair: Lars Hulgård, Roskilde University, Denmark

Speakers:
• Yvonne Strachan, Head of Equality, Human Rights and Third Sector Division of the Scottish Government.
• Ariane Rodert, European Economic and Social Committee.
• Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit, Clusters, Social Economy and Entrepreneurship, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission.
• Bruno Roelants, Secretary General, CECOP-CICOPA.
• Jean-Louis Laville, Chair of Solidarity Economy, CNAM, France.