The industrial and service cooperatives represented by CECOP belong to the wider social economy family. Cooperatives are collectively owned and democratically managed by their members, and the profits generated are reinvested in the cooperative. Social cooperatives in particular promote social inclusion and work integration of persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged persons into the labour market.

Despite the contribution of cooperatives to social progress and sustainable and inclusive growth, access to finance remains the greatest challenge they face. While the GBER is well-positioned to support cooperatives, its uptake is modest, particularly compared to other state aid measures. In order to ensure not only better uptake of the GBER, but wider-reaching positive impact, CECOP suggests the following elements for the review:

  • Recognise cooperatives.
  • Aid for disadvantaged workers and workers with disabilities must be strengthened and simplified.
  • Aid intensity for SMEs that provide training to disadvantaged workers or severely disadvantaged workers should be increased to 100%.
  • Capacity-building in public authorities.
  • Options for the cumulation of financial support from different sources must be improved.

Access CECOP's response to the consultation here.