Models and Trends of Social Enterprise Regulation in the European Union

Abstract

This chapter examines the regulation of social enterprises in the EU Member States. After highlighting the essential role of government regulation in promoting social enterprise, the chapter presents two different models of social enterprise legislation. The first model is that according to which social enterprise is a specific legal form, in most cases a social cooperative. The second model is that according to which social enterprise is a legal qualification or accreditation that can be obtained by organizations that satisfy certain requirements, regardless of their legal form of incorporation, which may be that of a cooperative, a company, or even an association or a foundation. This second model is becoming increasingly popular. The chapter analyzes and compares these different models and describes the most recent legislative trends.