Cooperatives, mutual societies, foundations and associations carrying out economic activity, worker-owned firms, insertion companies, special employment centres, fishermen's guilds, agricultural processing companies and singular entities created by specific regulations that are governed by the principles established in Article 4 of the Law on Social Economy.

These entities operate on the basis of a number of following guiding principles:

• The primacy of people and the social purpose over capital, which takes the form of autonomous and transparent, democratic and participative management, which leads to prioritising decision-making more in terms of people and their contributions of work and services rendered to the entity or in terms of the social purpose, than in relation to their contributions to the social capital.
• The application of the results obtained from the economic activity is based on the work contributed and the service or activity carried out by the members or their members.
• Promotion of internal solidarity and solidarity with society towards commitment to local development, equal opportunities between men and women, social cohesion, the integration of people at risk of social exclusion, the generation of stable and quality employment and the reconciliation of personal, family and working life and sustainability.
• Independence from public authorities.

Thanks to the underlying values that sustain the social economy, it has become one of the 14 key industrial ecosystems for resilience, strategic autonomy and sustainable development in the European Union. The social economy represents a fundamental pillar of recovery and sustainable, fair and inclusive economic growth. At the same time, it serves as a catalyst for a just, green and digital transition.

Furthermore, the social economy represents a cutting-edge ecosystem that offers innovative solutions to major challenges currently facing the world, including the creation of quality jobs, territorial cohesion, the fight against climate change, the demographic transition, equality between women and men, the promotion of a culture of entrepreneurship, a fair digital transition and the reduction of inequalities.

Similarly, the proximity networks deployed by the social economy facilitate the creation of synergies for local development and the establishment of a stable, quality employment base, thereby addressing the demographic challenge and combating depopulation in rural and suburban areas.

To conclude, we can outline that the social economy is configured as an alternative way of understanding the economy, which seeks to put people at the centre rather than capital. Social economy enterprises and organisations are set up democratically, giving a voice to their members and seeking a more sustainable way of understanding work. It prioritises collective welfare and, on many occasions, acts as a driver for people who are in a situation or at risk of social exclusion.

Moreover, the social economy enriches depopulated areas looking to alternatives to traditional economic and business formats. It also contributes to their economic development and growth, increasing opportunities especially for women and young people who find it more difficult to access the labour market.

Thanks to the social economy, local projects are developed, making a positive impact on people's quality of life, helping reduce inequality and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.