Social Enterprise Project INT/735 Project meeting 2014-02-25 EESC Project Approach Approved on experimental basis July 9, 2013 Emphases the implementing ideas considered important for the EESC rather than a classic EESC opinion work Can include several instruments (complement and not duplicate) Ensure proposals are feasible Demonstrate proposals are supported by various stakeholders Introduces specific recommendations and feasible actions Builds on EESC opinion work Decision-makers and partners must be identified and involved Questions remaining validation of results, communication etc. 1
Social Enterprise Project Mandate and Method Approved December 2013 as Action for the implementation of the Strasbourg Declaration Aims: Take stock of Strasbourg event results Define new and concrete actions to be implemented following the Strasbourg Declaration High-level meeting EESC President and Commission President to present and discuss final product fall 2014 Project method is open EESC and Social Enterprise Significant expertise and opinion work Actively engaged in the Institutional Social Business Agenda Co-organiser of Strasbourg event EESC opinion recommendations greatly reflected in Strasbourg Declaration: Include in enterprise policy Stimulate social investment Modernise public financing Launch development programmes, Build awareness and trust 2
The Social Business Initiative (SBI) As Stated in the Commission s Social Business Initiative they have the following common characteristics*: Earning income by trading Have a social or societal objective of the common good as the reason for their economic activity, often in the form of a high level of social innovation, Profits being mainly reinvested with a view to achieving this social objective, A method of organisation or ownership system reflecting their mission, using democratic governance or participatory principles or focusing social justice. Identified areas of action: Improving access to funding Increasing visibility of social entrepreneurship Improving the legal environment * From Strasbourg Declaration Our Task Today Agree on working method Define step 1 to follow Agree on anticipated outputs and outcomes Agree on responsibilities and next steps 3
Reviewing the Strasbourg Declaration (SD) Two components Strasbourg Declaration p.1: values p.2. principles Initial ideas and suggestions from participants Our main input is SD But with inspiration from our experiences, EESC opinions on the subject and ideas from key stakeholders Suggested Project Approach 4 Steps 4: Present to EESC, new Commission and Parliament 3: Translate evidence to policy recommendations to the EU Institutions 2: Gather evidence and identify solutions at local level pilots? COMMUNICATION 1: Chose and validate SD Principles 4
Proposed Project Methodology Step 1 1: Chose and validate Strasbourg Declaration Principles for Project Validated by EESC opinion work Supported by Initial ideas document Supported by Project Group (PG) group members expertise as stakeholders Decide role of PG members (and of EESC Members) as catalysts and promoters of SE When/where: Today Proposed Project Methodology Step 2 2. Gather evidence and identify solutions at local level Identify concrete solutions at local/regional/national level which can be transferable/inspirational in Europe Going local fact-finding pilot actions in Member States (to take stock, to gather and disseminate information, to share best practices) Small groups of three members of the PG could go local to a limited number of Member States (ex. tied into other EESC going local events?) When/where: Spring/summer at local level 5
Proposed Project Methodology Step 3 3. Translate evidence to policy recommendations to EU Institutions PG member report evidence/fact-finding/best practices Use these reports to identify concrete recommendations for the EU Institutions and the future SBI-agenda Project Group Working Group meeting Hearing with stakeholders, GECES meeting? When/where: Summer/early September in Brussels Proposed Project Methodology Step 4 4. Finalise report Summarise results and key recommendations Decide on reporting format Present/adopt by EESC TBD Communication? Present to next Commission and Parliament When/Where: November, Brussels 6
Other Actions Communication Launch the EESC project - in plenary? Preparation of a monthly update containing information on the EESC project and on initiatives taking place in the Members States Set-up webpage dedicated to the EESC project to share progress Should include a forum of discussion, and event page etc. Should aim to be a in infomration «hub» on the subject Should actively proomote participative communication tools such as social media Participation of GP members to major events on SE (GECES meetings, events in Italy and Greece amongst others) Promote cooperation with other institutions (Commission, Committee of the regions, European Parliament etc. ) Other ideas? Step 1 Review of Strasbourg Declaration principles Identify, among the ten points of the Strasbourg Declaration, those on which the EESC project group should concentrate (Members answers expected on March 7th) 7
Strasbourg Declaration 1.Develop a second phase of the SBI (broaden scope, partnership with Member States, regional/local authorities, civil society). 2. EU Institutions : ownership and deliver on the actions. 3. Stronger engagement at EU, national, regional and local levels to co-create new policies to support social enterprise. 4. Creation of an eco-system for social enterprise mainstreamed in Commission's policies. 5.Partnership (sector, Member States, regional and local authorities) to support social enterprises and help them build capacity (legal frameworks, access to finance, business startup and development support, training and education, public procurement). Strasbourg Declaration 6. EU institutions and Member States to reinforce the role of social enterprises in structural reforms to exit the crisis. 7. Better cooperation between social enterprises to share knowledge and practices & Better cooperation between public authorities to support social enterprise growth. 8. Suitable public and private financial instruments and intermediaries to support social enterprises throughout their life-cycle. 9. Further research and national statistical collection for a better understanding, recognition and visibility of the sector. 10. Inclusion of social indicators and positive social impact when reporting social and economic progress. 8