In 2021, the European Commission adopted the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP), a landmark step in recognising the contribution of the social economy to Europe’s future. For social enterprises (SEs) and the organisations that support them, the SEAP created momentum, visibility, and a framework for action. It promised a more coordinated approach to strengthening the social economy across Europe, ensuring that SEs could start, grow, and scale their impact.
But three years into implementation, the context has shifted dramatically. Political priorities have evolved, funding programmes have changed, and institutional structures within the Commission have been reshuffled. The mid-term review of the SEAP is an opportunity not just to take stock, but to renew the ambition for the social economy as we look to 2030 and beyond.
The Transition Pathway: A Missing Link
One of the most promising actions of the SEAP was the creation of a Transition Pathway for the proximity and social economy industrial ecosystem. After nearly a year of consultation, this roadmap was launched in 2022 with 14 action areas, seven green, seven digital, designed to help SEs navigate the twin transitions.
This was more than a policy exercise: it represented a serious attempt to mainstream the social economy into Europe’s industrial policy. Yet, following the 2024 European elections and institutional changes, the Commission disbanded the unit responsible for its implementation. With that decision, not only did leadership on the Transition Pathway evaporate, but so too did the resources and political momentum that underpinned it.
The result? Key issues like social procurement, data governance, single market access, and skills development risk falling through the cracks of EU policy. If left unaddressed, this will weaken the social economy at the very moment it needs to be stronger.
Why This Matters
The abandonment of the Transition Pathway does not mean the challenges it addressed have disappeared. On the contrary, SEs and their ecosystems still urgently need action in these areas:
-
Social procurement: Unlocking the power of public and private purchasing to support social enterprises must remain a top priority. The progress achieved so far cannot be allowed to stall.
-
Capacity building: National intermediaries—networks, incubators, accelerators—play a critical role in supporting SEs. They need sustained funding and stronger links between EU-level priorities and national implementation.
-
Data and evidence: Reliable statistics on the social economy remain scarce. Without better data, policymakers and investors cannot design effective interventions or financing tools. A shared methodology, coordinated across Member States, is essential.
The European Green Deal also hangs in the balance. The social economy has unique strengths in advancing just, inclusive, and sustainable transitions—but only if it continues to receive the support and recognition it deserves.
Recommendations for a Renewed SEAP
The mid-term review offers a chance to realign the SEAP with today’s realities. Euclid Network (EN) calls for six concrete actions:
-
Ensure that DG EMPL takes on the 14 action areas of the Transition Pathway, either by formally adopting it or by embedding its priorities into an updated SEAP.
-
Continue investing in social procurement—both in public contracts and in business-to-business markets.
-
Strengthen national ecosystems by making EU funding accessible to national intermediaries under direct and shared management.
-
Improve the quality and accessibility of social economy data, and foster shared definitions of what constitutes the social economy.
-
Support bottom-up data collection efforts and facilitate coordination across initiatives.
-
Work with national statistical institutes to develop satellite accounts, ensuring consistent data across Member States.
A Call to Action
The SEAP was always meant to be a living strategy. Today, that spirit of ambition and adaptability is more necessary than ever. The social economy is a driver of resilience, inclusion, and sustainability in Europe but only if policymakers continue to invest in its growth.
The mid-term review is not simply a checkpoint. It is a turning point. By reaffirming commitments to the Transition Pathway’s core priorities, Europe can ensure that the social economy thrives—not just until 2030, but well into the future.
