RREUSE welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to develop a favourable policy environment for social economy actors, calling for an ambitious Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP) that would provide a policy toolbox enabling a green, fair and circular transition in the post-COVID economic recovery. In order to establish a sustainable EU socio-economic environment and maximise the SEAP’s potential, RREUSE seeks to put forward the following recommendations on four priority areas:

1. Mainstream the social economy within circular policies and beyond
2. Recognise the real value of social enterprises active in the circular economy
3. Improve access to funding for social enterprises
4. Acknowledge social enterprises’ role in (up)skilling to meet changing market needs.