At the Enterprising for Tomorrow 2024 social economy conference, Amal Chevreau, a Policy Analyst from the OECD’s Center for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, presented key findings from the groundbreaking study “Mapping social and solidarity ecosystems around the world”.

Released in 2023, this comprehensive research encompasses data from 34 countries, including Romania, offering a detailed look at legal frameworks, employment contributions, and sector impacts within the social economy.

OECD Study Highlights

1. Organizational Structure: Associations dominate the social economy landscape, followed by cooperatives and foundations.
2. Enterprise Size: Most entities are micro or small-medium enterprises, typically employing fewer than 10 people.
3. Employment Impact: While countries like France show high employment rates in this sector, others such as Poland and Romania display more modest figures.
4. Resilience: The sector exhibits remarkable stability during economic crises.
5. Gender Representation: Women comprise about 60% of the workforce in many countries, though this may reflect traditional gender roles in certain areas.
6. Diverse Activities: The social economy spans various sectors, including social services, health, education, culture, communication, and recreation.

Recommendations for Romania

Amal Chevreau outlined several strategies to bolster Romania’s social economy:

1. Enhance entrepreneurial support through training and mentorship programs.
2. Foster collaboration among social enterprises, government bodies, and stakeholders.
3. Improve market access and consumer awareness, including via public procurement.
4. Prioritize data collection and impact measurement for informed decision-making.

The OECD pledges continued support to help Romania achieve these goals, offering tailored expertise and in-depth assistance.

Chevreau’s presentation at the ADV Romania event underscored the social economy’s vital role and potential for growth, emphasizing the importance of leveraging international insights and support to strengthen this sector in Romania.

“OECD stands ready to support Romania reach these goals through in-depth work and tailored expertise.”

Amal Chevreau, Policy Analyst in the Unit on Social Economy and Innovation at the Center for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD

Useful links

• → OECD Social economy and social innovation portal
• → OECD publications
• → Social economy publications
• → EU Social Economy Gateway