Article

 

REFLECTIONS ON THE GREEK APPROACH TO SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (p.49-73)

by

Costas GEORMAS, Organization of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity

Niki GLAVELI , University of the Aegean

Keywords : Greece, Social Enterprises, Legislation, Law 4019/2011, Law 4430/2016

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to reflect on the European Union’s initiatives on Social Entrepreneurship (SEn) and their influence on the Greek context focusing on the last 25 years and so. Furthermore, the actual developments that took place in Greece will be critically presented and discussed through the analysis of the legal developments in the field of SEn to point out facilitators, as well as inhibitory factors for the sustainable development of SEn in the country. The study underlines the “Europeanization” of internal SEn strategy/policies and legal framework and yet a weak and fragile development of the Greek SE sector. Being developed amidst a severe economic crisis, SE initiatives were triggered from a top-down process of governmental initiative, a misunderstanding of the concept of SEn and necessity rather than a genuine belief regarding the value of Social Enterprises (SEs). Also, the national legal frameworks (Law 4019/2011 and Law 4430/2016) and policies and the implementation gap created barriers to the development of SEn particularly in terms of sectors of activity, levels and types of employment, financing, scalability/profitability and the development of a genuine social vision, a clear corporate identity, and visibility. The future calls for structural barriers be removed and a comprehensive program for the Social and Solidarity Economy be designed, which will combine support policies with diversified intervention programs.