MFC joins 4th GECES Meeting on Social Economy and Social Enterprises

On 2 December 2025, the European Commission hosted the 4th meeting of the Commission Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises (GECES) in Brussels. The session brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss key developments shaping the social economy in Europe.

The agenda featured:

  • Updates on work strands and SEAP mid-term review, where it was interesting to note, that 8 Member States already adopted Social Economy (SE) strategy, 12 Member States and 2 Regions have SE strategy in preparation, 1 Region has SE strategy integrated in another strategy, and 6 Member States either have no SE strategy in preparation or did not provides their replays.
  • Presentation of the Eurobarometer survey, revealing that 88% agree that public authorities should develop strategies and legislation to support the social economy.
  • OECD Flagship Report launch, emphasizing the contribution of social economy to competitiveness and prosperity, particularly in care and housing sectors.
  • Access to finance discussions, including progress under the InvestEU Social Investment and Skills Window, which has already supported 93 thousand microfinance recipients and 3 thousand social enterprises.
  • Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, highlighting:
  • minimum of 14% of the National and Regional Partnership Plans envelope (including loan support) are to be dedicated to meeting Union’s social objectives translating to at least EUR 100 bn,
  • the ESF is set out in its own self-standing regulation to be implemented in shared management through the National and Regional Partnership Plans
  • EU Facility with the objective to provide flexibility, financing actions of EU importance and related to crisis situations and including inter alia social innovation, social microfinance and InvestEU Social Investment and Skills Window.

It is important to note that there is a general tendency for EU planning funds to be more flexible to be able to address the potential crises situations, in case a need arises.

  • The update from the Working Group on Data and Statistics for the Social Economy which is preparing the report aiming to propose a pathway towards a coherent and comparable European statistical framework for the social economy. The key challenges presented regarding data and statistics included: lack of operative definition, fragmented data collection, insufficient coverage, limited capacity, legal and policy barriers and limited awareness and interest 

Apart from GECES meeting, Beata had also a bilateral, regular meeting with DG EMPL and DG GROW representatives to discuss current microfinance issues as well as with DG Near where the leading topic focused on our next year planned Annual Conference in Albania and potential for cooperation at this event.

MFC was also represented at the Presentation of the 8th Report on Ethical Finance in Europe “Capital for the Common Good” at the premises of the European Parliament. We encourage to read this report.