The event was held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The seminar was opened by Katarzyna Nowakowska, Deputy Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy, who oversees, among other matters, Social Economy issues at the ministry.

In Europe, we speak with one voice, even though we use different definitions of the social economy. Today’s meeting demonstrates how crucial international cooperation is and how much it contributes to our understanding of the social economy and its development across different countries

– said Deputy Minister Katarzyna Nowakowska.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that Poland’s social economy sector includes more than 100,000 entities, which focus not only on delivering social services but also on the professional and social reintegration of individuals at risk of social exclusion.

Deputy Minister Katarzyna Nowakowska added that the Ministry is currently working on amendments to the Social Economy Act. The aim is to improve the functioning of social enterprises and create the conditions for their further development and innovation.

Self-help for Social Enterprises

The first part of the seminar focused on Poland’s experience in supporting the Social Economy, with a particular emphasis on the key role played by Social Economy Support Centres. According to experts, this system is unique within the European Union, being built on three main pillars. These include the activation of local communities, the incubation of social enterprises, and long-term support for their development.

Discussions also covered the self-help initiatives of social enterprises as part of an EU-funded project. The project envisions the establishment of an independent organisation for social enterprises. Planned for 2026, the organisation aims to represent the sector, establish a self-help fund, and promote the concept of social entrepreneurship.

On Legal and Financial Challenges

In the later part of the meeting, experts addressed legal and financial challenges. Topics included tax incentives, socially responsible public procurement, and financial instruments, all discussed in the context of experience across EU member states.

The seminar concluded with a shared reflection on the importance of developing a coherent and supportive public policy for the social economy. Participants agreed on the need to enhance integration of activities at both the national and European levels, and to continue strengthening the capacities of local initiatives and organisations.

This international expert seminar on the development of the social economy in Poland and Europe was a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and leading social economy stakeholders: the Association for Social Cooperatives, the National Association for the Revision of Social Cooperatives, the Foundation for Social and Economic Initiatives, and the Standing Conference on the Social Economy.