site.btaEurope's Social Economy Employs 11 Million People

105 ECONOMY-SOCIAL ECONOMY-FORUM-OPENING

Europe's Social Economy
Employs
11 Million People


Sofia, November 26 (BTA) - EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel opened an international conference on social innovations here on Monday. She said that although social entrepreneurship in Europe is often overlooked, Europe has 2 million social enterprises which accounts for 10 per cent of all businesses.

She said that 11 million people work in Europe's social economy which is 6 per cent of the labour force.

According to Gabriel, social entrepreneurship is often thought as old fashioned but today young social entrepreneurs are creating their own platforms.The EU Commissioner said that access to funding is very important for social entrepreneurs in order to develop their idea. She urged them to take advantage of a new Digital Europe Programme in 2021-2027 which will make available 9 billion euro.

Labour Minister Bisser Petkov said that Bulgaria already has its legal framework for development of social enterprises, voicing hope that the law will promote social and solidarity economy.

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said that the Sofia Municipality is launching a programme for social innovations from January 1 2019. It will disburse a budget of 100,000 leva which can be later increased if the programme proves successful. The programme will contribute partial funding to projects. LI/PP
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