According to law 4019/2011, Social Economy is defined as “the set of economic, business, productive and social activities, which are undertaken by legal entities or unions of persons, whose statutory purpose is the pursuit of the collective benefit and the service of general social interests”.
The Social Enterprise (Koin.S.Ep.), which is a civil partnership, with a social purpose and is, by law, a commercial entity, is established as a vehicle of Social Economy.
Depending on their purpose, the Koin.S.Ep. are divided into the following three (3) categories:
Their concern is the incorporation of persons belonging to vulnerable population groups, into the financial and social life. It refers to the incorporation of Sensitive Population Groups in the economical and social life. A minimal employee percentage of 40% in these Koin.S.Ep, must belong to Sensitive Population Group. The Limited Liability Social Enterprises (Koi.S.P.E.) are ex officio considered Incorporation Koin.S.Ep and are subject to the provisions of law 4019/2011.
Incorporation, is the procedure of social integration of individuals belonging to frail population groups, mainly by promoting their employment.
Frail population groups, are the social groups whose participation in the social and economic life is difficult. The reasons may be social and financial problems, physical, psychic, mental or sensory disability, or even unpredicted events which affect the orderly functionality of the local, or regional economy.
Frail population groups are divided into two categories:
Vulnerable Population Groups are the population groups whose integration in the social and economic life is inhibited by mental and physical reasons, or delinquent behaviour. Persons who belong to these groups are handicapped individuals (physically, mentally, psychicly or sensory), addicts or former addicts, HIV positive persons, convicts or ex – convicts, juvenile delinquents.
Special Population Groups, are the population groups which disadvantaged concerning their smooth integration in the employment market, due to financial, social or cultural reasons. Members of this category are indicatively unemployed young people, unemployed women, unemployed persons over 50, long – term unemployed, single parents and members of families with many children, abused women, illiterates, residents of remote mountainous or island regions, individuals with cultural specificities, immigrants and refugees.
They are concerned with the production and provision of social – welfare products and services, to specific population groups, such as the elderly, infants, disabled individuals and individuals suffering from chronic diseases.
They are concerned with the production of products and provision of services for the satisfaction of the collective needs (culture, environment, ecology, education, provision of utilities, development of local products, preservation of traditional activities and professions etc.) which promote the local and collective interests, as well as employment and strengthen social coherence as well as local or regional growth.
