Social Economy Europe advocates for the social economy in Europe, representing diverse organizations to promote social objectives and sustainable development while contributing to economic growth.
Social Economy Europe (SEE) is the EU-level representative organisation for the social economy. Established in November 2000 under the name CEP-CMAF, it changed its name to Social Economy Europe in January 2008. SEE represents a diverse range of enterprises and organisations, including cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, foundations, and social enterprises. SEE's mission is to promote the economic and social inputs of social economy enterprises and organisations in Europe, as well as to reinforce the political and legal recognition of the social economy at the European level. The organisation works in areas of common interest for its members, adhering to the principle of subsidiarity and ensuring the added value of its actions. SEE's values are centered around the primacy of people and social objectives over capital, democratic governance, solidarity, and the reinvestment of profits to achieve sustainable development objectives. The organisation believes in a more plural, democratic, cooperative, and responsive economy, and it aims to contribute to addressing major social and environmental challenges through social and environmental innovation. SEE encompasses 2.8 million entities, represents about 8% of the European GDP, and employs more than 13.6 million people.