Social Economy Europe was founded fifteen years ago with the goal to represent the interests of the European social economy, the latter represents 14 million European jobs and 10% of enterprises in Europe. Juan Antonio Pedreño, from the worker cooperative movement in the education sector, acknowledged the work carried out by the former team, who carried out the consolidation of the entity in front of the European institutions. He also thanked the entire European sector for the trust they have put in him and the new team.

“A new exciting new door is opening with lots of challenges ahead leading to the recognition social economy truly deserves” added Pedreño. Beyond the set priorities for this term the new president has also underlined the need to reinforce the relations with the European institutions, and in particular the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Social and Economic Committee, in order to increase the visibility of this business model.