Social enterprises are an important and constantly growing part of the economy of the European Union (EU). Their main goal is to find a balance between their mission and vision and economic, environmental and social goals with an emphasis on reinvesting profits.

There are over 2 million social enterprises in the entire EU, which make up about 10% of the entire EU economy.

There are more than 11 million direct employees in social enterprises, or about 6% at the EU level. Social enterprises are different legal entities and have different social goals.

Social enterprises are unique because the emphasis is on serving community members rather than personal financial gain. The emphasis is also on the social benefit of the model, and not on the return of the investment. Members of a social enterprise act according to the principles of solidarity and mutual benefit, and everyone can have an influence on the management model.

The European Commission is constantly working to improve business conditions for social enterprises at the level of the entire EU as well as individual member states.

Social enterprises are the engine of social innovation.