1st Regional Consultation in Trieste (IT) 27-28 March 2014 Roundtable 3 – WELFARE Social Economy and enterprises REGIONE EMILIA-ROMAGNA

Roundtable 3 – WELFARE Starting from the MMWD analysis of demographic change, the Roundtable on Welfare in Trieste has begun a process dialogue trying to understand the role of civil societies in concerned countries, in the welfare systems and it perspectives. During the first meeting, the roundtable has analysed the relationship of private and public actors in the different partner territories in addressing the actual needs of local communities, and the experiences of territorial development models connected to social economy. The Roundtable is coordinated by the Emilia-Romagna Region (IT) and its expert on this matters, AICCON, an Italian association operating in the research area dealing with the themes of Social Economy, Social Entrepreneurship, Co-operative enterprises and Non-profit organizations.

Working methodology and contents Introduction: overview of the concepts of Social Economy and Social Enterprise at European level, presenting the main definitions, policies and data to give to the participants the common basis on the themes Presentation of each partner on the current situation of Social Economy in their territories: legal framework, data on Social Economy and Civil Society organizations, main actors, relationship with public entities, etc. Identification of objectives on Social Economy and enterprises, starting from the main lack and evidences pointed out in the presentations

Main results We divided the main results of the Roundtable in two aspects: Evidences and lacks on Social Economy emerged from the different territories Specific objectives addressing the Social Economy and its role in the evolution of the welfare system

Main results: Evidences and lacks on Social Economy (1) There is not comparable data on Social Economy and Social Entrepreneurship mainly due to the multiple definition of Social Economy across the countries; Legal framework: often the legal framework for social economy has a very restrictive orientation, few and inefficient incentives; There is not a systematic approach between State, private entities, civil society organizations and universities (academia) on Social Economy and Social Entrepreneurship; Lack of awareness of the decision makers on these themes; There is an inefficient communication between national and local level: the national policies are not adequate to the local needs;

Main results: Evidences and lacks on Social Economy (2) The soft infrastructures are under-developed to properly develop the social entrepreneurship; Financial restraints; Lack of education on social economy fields; In general the social economy sector in the SEE Region is under-developed

Main results: Objectives on social economy (1) Promotion of social enterprises in emerging fields reflecting new societal demand consequent to demographic change; To address the increasing needs of elderly people (heath, economic, social problems) though the involvement of State, society and local communities; To promote and ensuring a preventive programme on health and care, taking into consideration the demographic projections to 2020 emerged from MMWD analysis; To deal with the lack of access to health and welfare benefits for unemployed people; To build up and supporting the environment/ecosystem for the development of social economy/social entrepreneurship; Increase the investment on training and education on Social Economy and Social Entrepreneurship at different level (both for students and managers of social economy organizations);

Main results: Objectives on social economy (2) Recognize the opportunities for employment in the social economy sector and the important role that the social enterprises can play in employ disadvantages; More active citizenship at local/National levels;  To create a legal and administrative framework for social economy at European level: foster the improvement of legal framework and the introduction of incentives for social economy organizations (for examples better access to public procurement); Creation of public-private partnerships and governance models to strengthen the role of civil society in designing and delivering social services; Improve the financial sustainability of social and care services through incentives (for example access to credits, tax benefit for donors); To submit a project to foster the cooperation between social enterprises with the aim to build up, starting from experiences, a fiscal framework at European level, a better use of financial resources, a community of social enterprises at European level.

To Belgrade, 12-13 June 2014: objectives and methodology During the Belgrade meeting will be shown 3 national cases from 3 different countries (Italy, UK, France) who will present their national legal framework of Social Economy, the models of governance of their organizations (in terms of activities, management and financial sustainability) and their relationship with public entities. The Roundtable will share and debate on the different models to better identify the lacks and the objectives on Social Economy in a transnational perspective. Analyze the main challenges that will emerge due to the demographic change in the SEE Region and how the Social Economy can contribute to meet them.