00:04In the southern Polish town of Bielewe, men who experienced addiction and homelessness are being offered a new chance to
00:11re-join society, learn new skills and enter the job market.
00:16Two years ago, when someone said that I would be in such a place, he would not believe me.
00:22We want to, we have a future perspective.
00:27Social economy is a great solution for me.
00:31For those difficult times in which we live.
00:35The people you just heard from are all part of this cooperative, an example of what's known as the social
00:41economy.
00:41Enterprises that ensure everybody in society finds their place.
00:46And as we all face the rising cost of living and inflation, does this non-profit model offer a route
00:52to a more resilient economy?
00:58Here at the RT Cooperative in Bielewe, Poland, lives are being turned around.
01:0329-year-old Artur Maciejewski used to have a drug problem and was living on the streets.
01:08Now he's learning to weld, and it's not easy.
01:12No, because I'm sick of ADHD.
01:15And I'm very uncomfortable.
01:17And I have a little, let's say, broken hands.
01:20Because I'm dealing with heavy elements.
01:23Artur has already earned a European Welding Certificate, and he's eager to learn more.
01:28I would like to do better work in the swimming pool.
01:32And learn to do better work in the swimming pool.
01:35Because it's hard, but I'd like to do better work.
01:39The 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 cooperative often holds group meetings like this to discuss problems, interview newcomers, and debate solutions.
01:59RT has an important social and economic role in the town.
02:04It helps men out of addiction and homelessness, trains them, and offers services like construction and gardening to local authorities.
02:12A deep Christian faith drives RT founder Jaroslav Pilecki to 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,
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, where this social housing is being completely
04:03renovated by the RT cooperative team, including Paweł Snopek.
04:24Paweł Struggled with addiction and survived a suicide attempt before joining the cooperative.
04:30Paweł Struggled with addiction.
04:43Paweł Struggled is one of around 3,000 people. This social economy enterprise has already helped, and the construction of
04:51these new apartments and church gives the RT cooperative room to rebuild many more.
04:56Paweł Struggles
Comments