I. What is SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE ?

In November 2000, cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations (CMAF) set up the European Standing Conference of Cooperatives, Mutual societies, Associations and Foundations (CEP-CMAF) which changed its name into SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE in January 2008. It is the EU-level umbrella organisation representing Social Economy enterprises and organisations and the privileged interlocutor with the European institutions in the sector of Social Economy/Third Sector.

SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE aims at :

• promoting Social Economy/Third Sector as a sector that produces both economic and social wealth;

• promoting the role and values of Social Economy/Third Sector actors throughout Europe;

• reinforcing political and legal recognition of the Social Economy/Third Sector and the CMAF at European level.

SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE participates to the European Union political debate by releasing position papers and by answering the European Commission’s public consultations. SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE organises conferences and seminars.

SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE members adopted the Social Economy Charter, where are exposed the seven principles that distinguish Social Economy/Third Sector enterprises from capital-based companies:

• The primacy of the individual and the social objective over capital

• Voluntary and open membership

• Democratic control by the membership

• The combination of the interests of members/users and/or the general interest

• The defence and application of the principle of solidarity and responsibility

• Autonomous management and independence from public authorities

• The essential surplus is used to carry out sustainable development objectives, services of interest to members or of general interest.

II. FEDES in SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE

FEDES, as a member of SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE, takes part actively to the working group Disability and Social Economy and to the European Parliament's Social Economy and Disability Intergroups. FEDES has also contributed to the involvement of SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE in the European social dialogue. FEDES takes also the opportunity of its participation within SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE to share the results of works carried out with CEEP.
FEDES benefits from the participation of employers' representatives from SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE to the European Economic and Social Committee.