“We agree with the revision of the accreditation requirements and the awards procedure. Some measures introduced by the European Union over the last few months have a similar purpose. The new procurements and concessions directives, as well as the new programming of Community funds for the 2014-2020 period, accord priority to social cooperation and to social enterprises. The reform announced by the prime minister is a chance to take up and to make the most of this opportunity at the national level.”

“The close to 10,000 social cooperatives, social enterprises and consortia which belong to the Alliance of Social Cooperatives, together with the 365,000 employed by them, are ready to make their contribution on the basis of the innovatory heritage of our system. Indeed, Italy was the first country in Europe to create social enterprises through the introduction of law 381/91.”

“The aspects of the reform of the social services, which are based upon choices made with a view to bringing about the greater involvement of social cooperation in the promotion of social policies, are of great interest. Finally, we should also remember our involvement in an emergency situation. Here I am referring to our social cooperatives which are shouldering the responsibility for taking care of the asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors who are landing on our coast. We are providing reception facilities for them whilst Europe continues to drag its feet and in the face of payments which have been delayed for more than a year.”