Today, we need to go beyond the – extremely reductive – European policy of standardisation, towards a community policy aiming to develop social services of general interest (SSGI), to raise awareness of their specific contribution in all Member States, and to raise the visibility of good practices, in particular those of the social economy sector.
The acute economic and social crisis affecting all the Member States of the European Union (EU) accentuates existing problems of precarious work and unemployment, of poverty and social exclusion, of income inequality and of access to social rights. SSGI have played an important ‘shock absorber’ role in addressing the crisis, but also a social innovation role.
These are of crucial importance to attain the fundamental objectives of the EU such as social, economic and territorial cohesion, a high level of employment, social inclusion and economic growth. SSGI are an integral part of the European social model.
The directive on free movement of services in the internal market, the regulations on state aids and the European directives on public markets directly affect the implementation, regulation and financing of SSGI, and yet they currently do not benefit from a positive definition in European law.
This is why we demand that an institutionalised European policy be put in place to recognize, promote and develop SSGI of high quality. Concretly :
- Create a European ressource centre for SSGI, that would be the technical reference point between Member States, the Commission (and other EU organs) and representatives of Civil Society at European level. It would facilitate dialogue between the stakeholders.
- Establish a European fund for social innovation which aims to support and develop civil society organisations’ capacity for experimenting and innovation in relation to SSGI.
SIGN UP
Organisations behind the manifesto :
- Labo ESS (www.lelabo-ess.org - France)
- Uniopss (France)
First signatories :
> National organisations :
- Collectif SSIG (AEFTI, CEEP France, FAPIL, FEHAP, FHF, FNARS, FNMF, FNSEM, INSTEP, MFP, MSA, PACT, SYNOFDES, UNCCAS, UNIOPSS, UNML, UROF) - France
- FAMNA (non-profit providers within health and social care) - Sweden
- Forum for social voluntary work - Sweden
- NCVO (National Council for Voluntary organisations) - United Kingdom
- ACLI (Associazioni cristiane lavoratori italiani) - Italy
- Community Workers’ Co-operative - Ireland
- Objectif Plein Emploi (OPE) - Luxembourg
- European House - Hungary
- Foundation PACT - Romania
- ITD - Spain
- ONG "Terra-1530" - Republic of Moldova
- actenses - France
- AIRe - France
- Association COS - France
- Association des Paralysés de France - France
- ASSOCIATION HAFB - France
- CEGES - France
- Chambre Régionale de l'Economie Sociale et Solidaire Rhône ALpes - France
- Conférence Permanente des Coordinations Associatives (CPCA) de Bretagne - France
- CRES (Chambre Régionale de l'Economie Sociale) de Bretagne - France
- CRESS CENTRE - France
- CRESS RHONE ALPES - France
- DESJEPS - France
- Fédération Nationale des Associations d'Accueil et de Réinsertion Sociale (FNARS) - France
- FONDA - France
- Fondation Apprentis d'Auteuil - Paris - France
- FONDATION LUCY LEBON - France
- JURIS ASSOCIATIONS - France
- LDH - France
- Ressources Solidaires - France
- USGERES - France
- Ozara Slovenija Life Quality National Association - Slovenia
- ZIVOT 90 older people NGO - the Czech Republic
- Social Firms UK - United Kingdom
- UDAF (Union Départementale des Associations Familiale) d'Ille et Vilaine - France
- Hôpital Psychiatrique de Jour pour Enfants - France
- ADAPEI 64 - France
- URIOPSS Pays de la Loire - France
- URIOPSS Paca et Corse - France
> European platforms :
- AIM (Association Internationale de la Mutualité)
- Pour la Solidarité
- ENSIE (European Network of Social Integration Entreprises)
- COFACE (Confederation of family organisations in the European Union)
- CEDAG (European Council of Associations of General Interest)
- INEES (Institut Européen de l’Economie Solidaire)
- Réseau intercontinental de promotion de l'économie sociale solidaire (RIPESS) Europe
- ELISAN (European local inclusion and social action network)
- AEDH (European Association for the Defense of Human Rights)
- CEFEC (Social Firms Europe
> Members of the European Parliament :
Pascal CANFIN, France
Frédéric DAERDEN, Belgium
Marie Christine VERGIAT, France
Françoise CASTEX, France, Présidente de l'intergroupe SIG
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