On June 3rd, 2025, Brussels hosted the third meeting of the Commission Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises (GECES), bringing together over 50 key stakeholders from Social Economy umbrella organisations and national governments. This gathering focused on assessing the mid-term review of the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP), discussing progress and priorities for the future of Social Economy policy in Europe.
EMES was proudly represented at the meeting by its President, Francesca Petrella, who shared EMES’ insights and priorities during the discussions. Her presence ensured that the voice of the academic and research community was included in shaping the direction of future EU social economy policies.
The agenda centred on three strategic pillars:
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Framework conditions
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Access to finance
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Visibility and recognition
During the discussions, members evaluated key questions:
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What actions have been implemented so far?
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What are the main challenges and obstacles in strengthening the role of the social economy in the EU?
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Which specific actions should be prioritised for 2026–2030?
As a forward-looking step, the European Commission announced that two new working groups will launch in September 2025, focusing on:
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Access to finance
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Data and statistics production
These initiatives aim to strengthen evidence-based policy-making and support mechanisms for social economy actors across the EU.
Unfortunately, the meeting also marked a notable absence: DG GROW was not present, following the recent suppression of the Social Economy Unit within the Directorate-General. This development raises concerns about the institutional support for Social Economy within the EU’s internal market policies.