When the European Commission adopted the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP) in 2021, it marked a turning point for the recognition and support of the social economy across Europe. For the first time, a coordinated European approach placed social enterprises, cooperatives, mutuals, and other social economy actors at the heart of Europe’s vision for a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable future.
Three years on, the context has changed dramatically. From geopolitical tensions to economic uncertainty, from climate crises to technological disruption, the challenges facing Europe—and the communities its social enterprises serve—are evolving rapidly. That’s why Euclid Network’s latest position paper, The SEAP Mid-Term Review: Recommendations for the Future, makes a clear case: the SEAP must adapt to remain relevant, ambitious, and impactful through 2030 and beyond.
Why the Social Economy Matters More Than Ever
The pandemic proved the social economy’s resilience. Today, that resilience needs to be paired with competitiveness, innovation, and leadership. Social enterprises are already delivering across Europe’s industrial ecosystems, balancing the triple bottom line—economic, social, and environmental impact.
But this is not just about survival. The social economy can be a model of European competitiveness—showing how value-driven entrepreneurship can lead the way in financing innovation, unlocking capital in resource-scarce environments, and avoiding the “brain drain” of talent and ideas to ecosystems dominated by risk capital.
From Niche to Mainstream
The future of the SEAP should be about mainstreaming social economy principles into Europe’s broader economic policies and funding programmes. That means:
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Embedding social economy in regional development and technological innovation agendas.
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Leveraging major EU funding streams, from Horizon Europe to the Social Climate Fund, to scale up impact.
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Ensuring social economy actors have a seat at the table in areas like social housing, climate transition, and digital transformation.
These steps would allow the social economy to shift from being seen as a specialised niche to becoming a recognised leader in shaping Europe’s economic future.
Seizing Missed and Emerging Opportunities
The Recovery and Resilience Facility largely overlooked the social economy—a missed opportunity we can’t afford to repeat. Upcoming Social Climate Plans offer a second chance to integrate social economy solutions that address the green transition’s social challenges, particularly for micro-enterprises and vulnerable communities.
Similarly, as interest in social housing grows, the SEAP should incorporate proven social economy models—like cooperative ownership and impact investing—to address this urgent issue, backed by new financial resources.
Looking Beyond 2030
2030 is no longer a distant horizon—it’s just around the corner. The SEAP’s mid-term review is the moment to start imagining what comes next. Euclid Network calls for an immediate follow-up agenda, co-designed with stakeholders, to carry momentum forward to 2040 and 2050. This vision must put people and planet at the core of Europe’s economic model, building a social economy that is stronger, more connected, and more influential than ever.
A Collective Effort for a Shared Future
The SEAP’s achievements to date—like expanding the Social Economy Gateway (SEG) to connect stakeholders and share best practices—should be celebrated. But the work is far from done. The next phase will require greater ambition, deeper integration, and stronger political will to position the social economy not as a supporting actor, but as a driver of Europe’s sustainable future.
