• Supported by more than 100 MEPs of the European Parliament, the Social Economy Intergroup has been reconstituted with the consensus of the five great political formations of the Eurocamara.
• Since its creation in 1990, this Intergroup is the most relevant inter-institutional working forum of the EU in Social Economy.
• The Social Economy is at the center of the European agenda with the reinstatement of the Intergroup and the announcement of the president of the European Commission to approve in 2021 a European Action Plan for the Social Economy.
Madrid, January 29, 2020.- The Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament has been formally constituted in Brussels supported by the five most important political formations of the European Chamber, with the aim of promoting a European agenda for this business model that is going be marked by the approval in 2021 of a European Action Plan for the Social Economy announced by the president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen .
The president of Social Economy Europe (SEE), the representative pan-European entity of this business model, and of the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES), Juan Antonio Pedreño , said that “the renewal of the Intergroup is the first effective measure in this new European legislature to promote from the EU a business fabric that represents 8% of European GDP with more than 2.8 million companies and organizations ”.
Pedreño also stressed that “the Intergroup will have an intense activity during this mandate, since, among other measures, an ambitious Action Plan entrusted by President Von der Leyen to the Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit , must be developed and implemented” .
For the president of CEPES and SEE, these advances place the Social Economy at the highest level of the work agenda of the European Institutions that are firmly committed to this business model as a model that guarantees a future of economic, social and environmental prosperity in Europe.
Political consensus in Europe around the social economy
The Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament of this new Legislature is composed of representatives of the main political formations.
In addition, five MEPs have been elected co-chairs: Patrizia Toia (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Italy), Sven Giegold (The Greens, Germany), Leopoldo López (European People's Party, Spain), Monica Semedo (Renew Europe, Luxembourg) and Manon Aubry (Group of the European United Left / Nordic Green Left, France).
The Intergroup appointed in its constitutive meeting MEPs Jordi Cañas (Citizens - Renew Europe, Spain) and Leszek Miller (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Poland) as vice presidents. He also agreed that in the next few weeks he will appoint three other vice-presidencies representing the European People's Party, the Greens and the Group of the European United Left / Nordic Green Left.
During the constitution ceremony held in Brussels, the President of CEPES and SEE thanked the commitment of the designated co-chairs and vice-presidents, as well as the more than 100 MEPs who supported the renewal of the Social Economy Intergroup: "Thanks to your commitment and to our common work in favor of a European Action Plan, we are entering a new era for the Social Economy in Europe. " Pedreño highlighted the fThe team of co-chairs and vice-presidents, from different backgrounds and political groups, and the willingness of Social Economy Europe and its members to support the actions and strategy of the Social Economy Intergroup.
Toia expressed satisfaction with the renewal of the Social Economy Intergroup, which will play a central role in the inclusion of this business model within the European Parliament. In addition, he noted that among his priorities should be to ensure the active participation of MEPs from across the EU to continue promoting the Social Economy where it is less developed.
Vice President Jordi Cañas highlighted the demonstrated potential of the Social Economy to combine economic and social progress. To take advantage of this potential, he stressed the need to improve visibility and pedagogy on the social economy across the EU, developing a common understanding.
In this regard, Cañas asked the European Commission to draw up a recommendation on a definition of social economy at European level, which is useful for Member States and public authorities that wish to develop legal and political frameworks.
For its part, the popular Isabel Benjumea , who attended the meeting on behalf of her colleague Leopoldo López, who was on a mission in Peru, expressed her satisfaction with the renewal of the Intergroup and her willingness to actively contribute to her activities. In this regard, he wished the best to his colleagues and the European Social Economy in this exciting new chapter.
Giegold stressed the opportunity represented by the announcement of the Action Plan to support the emergence and development of social economy companies and organizations throughout the EU. In addition, he stressed the need to contribute to other key initiatives such as the Green Pact, the European Pillar of Social Rights and industrial and SME strategies.
Semedo declared that the constitution of the Intergroup is a "happy moment" and explained that his commitment to the Intergroup of Social Economy is based on his belief that this model, catalyst of innovative initiatives with a social objective, is fundamental to achieve a more Europe Social.
Aubry defended the Social Economy as a business and organizational model committed to equity, redistribution of surpluses, solidarity and economic democracy. He recalled that several EU member states have social economy policies and laws that can inspire EU institutions and member states.
In the following link you can access the multimedia gallery of the CEPES website that includes photos of this event. https://www.cepes.es/principal/multimedia/397_constitucion-intergrupo-parlamento-europeo-enero-2020
About Cepes
The Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) is the highest representative institution of the Social Economy in Spain, becoming a platform for institutional dialogue with public authorities. Its 27 partners represent the interests of more than 42,140 companies, representing 12.5% of employment and with a turnover of around 10% of GDP. Its partners, with more than 200 regional structures, are national or regional organizations and business groups, which represent the interests of Cooperatives, Labor Societies, Mutualities, Insertion Companies, Special Employment Centers, Associations of the disability sector and Fishermen's Guilds .
About the Social Economy Intergroup
Created in 1990 and in continuous movement since then, the Social Economy Intergroup serves to ensure a permanent dialogue between the European Parliament, the other EU institutions, the Member States and the social economy, as well as to include these business models in the legislative and non-legislative work of Parliament. In December 2019, the Social Economy Intergroup was renewed for the current mandate by decision of the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.
About Social Economy Europe
Social Economy Europe (SEE) is the voice of the 2.8 million companies and organizations of the Social Economy in the European Union. Created in November 2000 under the name of CEP-CMAF - the European Permanent Conference of Cooperatives, Mutual Societies, Associations and Foundations - in order to establish a permanent dialogue between the Social Economy and the European Institutions, in 2008, CEP-CMAF changed his name and officially became the European Social Economy.
SEE is the secretary of the Social Economy Intergroup.
