Association
Associations are non-profit groups organised with members, and they can engage in economic activities as long as they do not distribute any profits to their members.
Main principles of an association :
- private legal entities voluntarily established by two or more natural persons and/or legal entities
- member-based organisations
- have an open and variable membership
- non-profit organisations
- have a governance structure that comprises at least, as compulsory organs, an Assembly of Members and a Board of Directors
Source: European Commission – https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/proximity-and-social-economy/social-economy-eu/associations-and-foundations_en
Cooperative
A cooperative is a group of people working together independently, with a shared purpose of achieving common economic, social, and cultural goals. They reach these goals by creating and running businesses owned and controlled by the members through a democratic process.
Source: EU Social Economy Gateway
Democratic governance
Democratic governance favours participation and openness through independent management, democratic decision-making process and the primacy of people and labour over capital in the distribution of income.
Source : https://www.socialeconomy.eu.org/the-social-economy/
Foundation
A foundation is a non-profit organisation that helps the community by supporting charitable activities for the common good. It is typically funded with donations of money from individuals, families, or corporations.
Source: EU Social Economy Gateway
Mutual society
Mutuals are organisations that offer life and non-life insurance services, along with social security and small social services. Instead of focusing on profits or returns on capital, their main goal is to meet shared needs. These societies operate based on principles of solidarity among members who actively participate in decision-making. The aim is to be accountable to the people they serve, aligning with the needs for which they were established.
Source: EU Social Economy Gateway
NGO
According to the European Commission Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are the essential actors in the social field, particularly in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. They engage in regular dialogue with public authorities to ensure better implementation of EU initiatives and policies in the EU countries.
Source: European Commission – https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=330
Non-formal education
Non-formal education refers to planned, structured programmes and processes of personal and social education for young people designed to improve a range of skills and competencies, outside the formal educational curriculum. Non-formal education is what happens in places such as youth organisations, sports clubs and drama and community groups where young people meet, for example, to undertake projects together, play games, discuss, go camping, or make music and drama. Non-formal education achievements are usually difficult to certify, even if their social recognition is increasing. Non-formal education should also be.
Source: Council of Europe – https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-youth-foundation/definitions
Social economy
The term ‘social economy’ refers to all business activities that are not only driven by a strong social mission but also intended to be economically viable. This includes cooperatives, mutual societies, non-profit associations, foundations and social enterprises, covering a wide range of activities. The aims of social economy organisations are generally to provide goods and services (including employment opportunities) to their members or community and pursue general interest goals such as environmental protection. In this way, social economy organisations aim to make a profit for people other than investors or owners.
Source: Eurofound – https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/social-economy
Social Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship has as its main goal to address pressing social challenges and innovatively meet social needs while serving the general interest and common good for the benefit of the community. In a nutshell, social entrepreneurship targets social impact primarily rather than profit maximisation in their effort to reach the most vulnerable groups and contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth.
Source: OECD – https://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/social-entrepreneurship-oecd-ec.htm
Social Impact
In essence, the definition of social impact means any significant or positive changes that solve or at least address social injustice and challenges. Businesses or organisations achieve these goals through conscious and deliberate efforts or activities in their operations and administrations.
Source:https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/blog/2021/09/03/social-impact-definition-and-why-is-social-impact-important/#:~:text=What%20is%20social%20impact%3F,in%20their%20operations%20and%20administrations
Social responsibility
It is the voluntary integration, by companies, of social and environmental concerns into their business operations and their relationships with their social partners”.
It is a global management system that places people at the centre of its three pillars of action: economy, environment and people.
Source:https://www.blog-qhse.com/es/la-rse-un-gran-reto-para-el-2022#:~:text=Tomemos%20la%20definici%C3%B3n%20de%20la,relaciones%20con%20sus%20interlocutores%20sociales%E2%80%9D
Sustainable development
Sustainable development, as defined by the United Nations, is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global initiative to end poverty, safeguard the environment, and enhance the well-being of people worldwide. These 17 goals were established in 2015 by all United Nations Member States as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to accomplish these objectives over 15 years.
Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
Youth Work
‘Youth work’ is a broad term covering a broad scope of activities of a social, cultural, educational or political nature by, with and for young people. (…) Youth work is organised in different ways ( …) It is delivered in different forms and settings (…) and is given shape at local, regional, national and European levels.
Source: European Commission Quality Youth Work – https://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/youth/library/reports/quality-youth-work_en.pdf
Youth workers
According to the European Union, youth workers are professionals who are directly or indirectly involved in working with young people, particularly in non-formal or informal educational settings. The term «youth worker» is not limited to a specific profession or educational background, but rather encompasses a wide range of individuals who work to support and promote the personal and social development of young people.
Youth workers can be volunteers, community workers, social workers, educators, trainers, counsellors, or other professionals who have a role in designing and implementing activities and programs that enable young people to develop their skills, knowledge, and competencies. The work of youth workers aims to support the social inclusion and active participation of young people in society, enhance their employability, and promote their well-being and resilience. The EU recognizes the importance of youth work and the role of youth workers in promoting the social, cultural, and economic development of young people and their communities.
Source: Erasmus Guide 2023 Page:440