The European Parliament has approved the list of parliamentary intergroups for the next term, including the Social Economy Intergroup.
The decision was welcomed by apex body Cooperatives Europe as “a positive signal” that the EU will support the social and solidarity economy.
Intergroups are formed by MEPs to hold informal exchanges with civil society on particular subjects. According to Cooperatives Europe, the decision to renew the group is “a recognition of the quality of the activities under the previous intergroup, to which several co-operative representatives contributed”.
A key issue on the group’s agenda will be the Action Plan on Social Economy and Social Innovation, which is being developed by Nicolas Schmit, commissioner for jobs and social rights.
Jean-Louis Bancel, president of Cooperatives Europe: “This decision is an illustration of the willingness of the European Parliament to recognise the diversity of the actors for the building up of a Europe serving the European citizens.
“Co-operative enterprises, governed by democratic management, are very attached to the success of the European project and will actively participate and contribute to this intergroup, bringing the voice of the European co-operatives to the table.”
