WORKSHOP 2: SOCIAL ECONOMY

Today’s Workshop Introducing Bologna Nicoletta Ratini, Project Officer Local story: Piazza Grande- A social enterprise working with homeless people Paolo Klun, President of the Municipality Forum Against Social Exclusion Responses: LAO Stockholm Maria Andersson European Network of Cities & Regions for the Social Economy (REVES), Erdmuthe Klaer European Parliament Social Economy Intergroup Karine Pflüger

The social economy enterprises are mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). They contribute to a sustainable economic model where the individual is more important than capital and where the social economy has evolved through peculiar entrepreneurial or legal activities such as cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, enterprises and social organizations or foundations. It was in the 1840’s that, in various European countries (the UK, France, Germany, Denmark) cooperatives began to emerge, rapidly sketching four different organizational models: consumer cooperatives, production and work cooperatives, farming cooperatives and cooperative banks (or credit unions). The social economy represents 10% of European companies, that is 2 million companies, or 6% of jobs in total. An introduction: The social economy in Europe/1

The Social economy in Italy among associations, foundations, social cooperatives, religious organizations employing more than dependents and volunteers. Traditionally, the birth of the Italian cooperative movement is located in 1854 when, in Torino, the association of the city’s workers opened the first consumer cooperative shop. In Emilia Romagna 8.5% of total turnover comes from the 5195 cooperatives. The social cooperatives are 672 in Emilia Romagna with 80,864 members and 43,518 employees including 3,000 disadvantaged with a turnover of Euro 1,435,389,499. (Data Legacoop, and Confcoop Agci year 2008) ‏.

The social cooperatives are divided into two groups, cooperatives of type A and of type B. The A type delivers social, health and education services that have been commissioned by the public authorities through approval, agreement or tender. The B type are aimed at work integration.They offer real possibilities to meet the needs of disabled or disadvantages people (drug addicts, alcoholics, prisoners, minors with social, health or mental problems). The social cooperatives in Italy Born in the late 70s the social cooperatives developed spontaneously until 1991, when the law 381/1991 recognizing its identity and importance, enables significant progress.

The social cooperatives of type B/1 They work in different fields such as agriculture, services (cleaning), maintenance of the environment, waste recycling and other environmental services, crafts, food, etc.. The main characteristic is to be a real place of production (not a workshop OT) where the salary of an employee shareholder is calculated on the marketing of goods or services produced. They may be a transition to other productive contexts or a stable place that ensures the continuity of employment and a job in which particular attention to production time and the relationship between colleagues is payed. They are constantly in contact with the public health services who are in charge of the disabled employed people. c

The social cooperatives of type B/2 ‏ 30% of workers / employees must necessarily belong to the category of disadvantaged people (disabled, people with mental health problems, prisoners, adults with social problems, alcohol and drugs addicted people) ‏. They take in charge people from the end of the secondary education, proposing a range of offers such as training (bot theorical and practical), internal or external work grants, a temporary or permanent job. They are true cooperatives.The fact of being associated is often a source of empowerment providing the disadvantaged person (in relation to his own abilities) the possibility to influence the choices and the decisions of the cooperative. They benefit of fiscal support for disadvantaged people and the possibility of direct relationship between the public administrations and cooperative.

Conclusion The economic crisis affecting millions of workers in Europe (and especially the weakest and the disabled) has proven that the development model has failed This development model has evolved while creating social injustice, precarious jobs, lack of interest in the environment and cuts in social services, health and education. Today more than ever, the social economy can play a key role in the European economy, combining profitability and solidarity while creating quality jobs. The local practice we are going to present is a very good example of it.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! General information and data were provided by Legacoop that we thank for cooperation