Removal of the Social Economy Unit from DG GROW and its impact on policy coherence

9.7.2025

Priority question for written answer  P-002803/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ciaran Mullooly (Renew)

On 1 May 2025, the Commission disbanded the Social Economy Unit in the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), transferring its responsibilities to the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). This move risks weakening the economic and industrial positioning of the social economy – an ecosystem employing over 11 million people – at a time when resilience, inclusion and competitiveness need to go hand in hand.

Given that all 27 Member States recently committed themselves to integrating the social economy into national industrial policy:

• 1.what was the rationale for removing the Social Economy Unit from DG GROW, and how will the Commission safeguard its presence in enterprise and industrial policy?
• 2.how will the Commission guide Member States on the interpretation and application of this shift in their national strategies given that a clear response is vital to avoid fragmentation and ensure continuity of support for this strategic sector?

Submitted: 9.7.2025