Rethinking sustainable competitiveness beyond traditional perspectives: role and contribution of the Social Economy

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Social enterprises, traditional firms and investors will benefit from a better understanding of the sustainable competitiveness factors of the social economy[1] in Europe through knowledge development and know-how on innovative products and services, improving quality and productivity, and increasing adaptability, social inclusion and sustainable, environmentally friendly (for example biodiversity-enhancing) practices. Citizens and traditional private sector will benefit from the increased contribution of the social economy to the EU’s sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity goals. The research will inform policy makers and private sector on best practice, policy and regulatory reforms aimed at enhancing the social economy's contribution to the EU's competitiveness and prosperity goals. The social economy's principles for sustainable competitiveness are promoted, through the development of practical and innovative solutions. Scope: The European Union is committed to fostering a social market economy that promotes sustainable growth, social justice, and economic competitiveness. In this context, the social economy has emerged as a potential driver of innovation, job creation, and social inclusion. On the other hand, there is still a persistent knowledge gap in the literature when it comes to appreciate the multifaceted contribution social economy actors make in shaping and advancing economic competitiveness within and across the EU society and its impact on inclusive wellbeing and the environment (for example, the prevention of environmental degradation or loss of biodiversity[2]). Sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity are key a political priority of the new European Commission[3]. In this context, the notion of sustainable competitiveness is less about relative labour cost and more about skills, innovation, entrepreneurship and adaptation. It focuses on the ability for an individual, a firm, a sector, or a country to increase shared prosperity in relation to the current and future environment and society. The link between social economy and sustainable competitiveness relies on innovation, which needs to be made broader, going beyond “mere” technological innovation and embrace social or even better societal innovation. Proposals should focus on exploring the potential virtuous relationships between social economy, sustainable competitiveness and shared prosperity. Research (including from SSH disciplines) should focus on a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to the sustainable competitiveness of social economy entities on one side and, on the other, its possible impact on EU sustainable competitiveness. This requires addressing knowledge gaps, such as the lack of a comprehensive framework to measure the social economy's contribution to sustainable competitiveness in the European Union. Research may undertake a review of existing literature, analysis and develop case studies to identify the key enabling factors that make social economy entities competitive in a sustainable way, while considering the social, economic, and environmental dimensions. To better capture the role of the social economy as one of the drivers of sustainable competitiveness, the research may develop a framework to measure its contribution including with existing and new indicators and metrics. Research may identify best practices, develop toolkit and policy recommendations on how social economy in Europe can boost public and private competitiveness linked to EU shared prosperity goals (such as well-being and nature preservation). The regulatory context and its impact on the social economy's ability to contribute to sustainable competitiveness should be considered. Activities may involve interdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis. Researchers may need to draw on expertise from different fields (economics, s... Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal (CC BY 4.0).