Unlocking the Social Economy 2025

Cover: Rags2RichesDisclaimer This document is published by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the Schwab Foundation but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the Schwab Foundation or the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system. This report is written in collaboration with Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.Contents Preface 3 Executive summary 4 Introduction 5 1 What is equity in the green and digital transitions? 7 1.1 Origins of equity discussions in the green 8 and digital transitions 1.2 Marginalized communities at risk of exclusion 9 1.3 Introducing a framework for economic equity 10 2 How does the social economy drive economic equity 11 in the green and digital transitions? 2.1 Employment and job transition 13 2.2 Affordability of goods and services 15 2.3 Accessibility of goods and services 16 2.4 Accessibility of financing and investments 17 2.5 Accessibility of capacity and markets 19 3 Policy actions to advance the social economy in the 20 green and digital transitions 3.1 Dedicated action plans for the social economy 23 3.2 Reduced taxation of public benefit companies 23 3.3 Subsidies for essential products and services 24 3.4 Investments in social impact 24 3.5 Public procurement to build inclusive, sustainable markets 25 3.6 Market regulation 25 3.7 Public-private sector collaboration 26 Conclusion: An inclusive and sustainable future 27 Contributors 28 Endnotes 30 Unlocking the Social Economy: Towards Equity in the Green and Digital Transitions 2