00:00KONIEC
00:03In the southern Polish town of Bielowie,
00:06men who experienced addiction and homelessness
00:09are being offered a new chance to re-join society,
00:12learn new skills and enter the job market.
00:16Jakby ktoś powiedział, że będę w takim stanie, w takim miejscu,
00:21no to on nie uwierzył, nie?
00:23Chcąc, mamy tutaj perspektywy na dalsze życie.
00:27Ekonomia społeczna, to jest taki ratunek i dla mnie to jest genialne rozwiązanie
00:31na te trudne czasy, w których żyjemy.
00:35The people you just heard from are all part of this cooperative,
00:39an example of what's known as the social economy,
00:42enterprises that ensure everybody in society finds their place.
00:46And as we all face the rising cost of living and inflation,
00:49does this non-profit model offer a route to a more resilient economy?
00:58Here at the RT Cooperative in Bielowie, Poland,
01:01lives are being turned around.
01:0329-year-old Artur Maczewski used to have a drug problem
01:07and was living on the streets.
01:09Now he's learning to weld, and it's not easy.
01:23Artur has already earned a European Welding Certificate,
01:27and he's eager to learn more.
01:28The training at the RT Cooperative is supported by a project called Butterflies from Lower Silesia.
01:45It has a budget of €630,000, 70% of which is from the European Social Fund Plus.
01:52The co-operative often holds group meetings like this to discuss problems,
01:57interview newcomers and debate solutions.
02:00RT has an important social and economic role in town.
02:04It helps men out of addiction and homelessness, trains them,
02:07and offers services like construction and gardening to local authorities.
02:12A deep Christian faith drives RT founder Jaroslav Pilecki
02:16to give everyone in need a chance to redeem themselves.
02:40There are 4.3 million social economy organizations like RT in Europe ranging from foundations and charities to a
02:49to associations and cooperatives.
02:51They represent 11.5 million paid jobs, meaning over 6% of the workforce.
02:57The sector is a sizable contributor to the European economy, but it could be bigger.
03:02A recent review of the EU's Social Economy Action Plan found that despite significant progress,
03:09the social economy is still lacking recognition and support in a consistent way across the EU.
03:15So what can be done?
03:16One recommendation is to create frameworks to allow social economy enterprises better access to financing and investment.
03:24Here at Rotslav University of Economics and Business, Professor Stanislav Kaminski argues for new legislation too.
03:31We need more coordinated and supportive legal framework in the European Union.
03:37So for example, we need legal status of social enterprise that is clear across the European Union.
03:45We also need to create laws which support social economy organizations, for example, in the public procurement system.
03:55An example of that public procurement in action is underway here in Bielewa,
04:00where this social housing is being completely renovated by the RT Cooperative team, including Paweł Snopek.
04:24Paweł Struggled with Addiction and survived a suicide attempt before joining the Cooperative.
04:30When I lost everything, when I had no place to work, I just got a plan to work for a
04:41mission and a mission.
04:44Paweł is one of around 3000 people. This social economy enterprise has already helped.
04:49And the construction of these new apartments and church gives the RT Cooperative room to rebuild many more.
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