Abstract:

Europe 2020, a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth aims to reduce unemployment rate and the number of European citizens facing poverty and social exclusion. Social Economy (SE) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are two democratic approaches on economy that could bring their contribution in achieving these goals. There are both differences and similitude between these two concepts that place them in different economic sectors but also create meeting points, contributing to the social good. Both of them attempt to help the capitalism becoming more democratic and the democracy win a better economic efficiency, addressing a broader modern understanding of capital and profit. Thereby, they try to balance the economical pragmatism with a social, more sensitive approach. Apart their advantages and imperfections, we should not forget that a smart, sustainable and inclusive European growth depends on each of us, on our involvement in the life of our communities, on our impact on the environment, on the values we teach our children. Thus, SE and CSR are about what the others can do for us but also (and mainly) about what we can do for ourselves.