4: Unleashing Social Enterprises

In the previous chapter, we looked at how governments can support low-income households and vulnerable groups during the green transition. We concluded that the role of government is necessary and consistent with our view that without government intervention and financial support, be it state, or EU funding, millions of low-income households and vulnerable populations would fall further behind other socio-economic groups. The standard economic model would again be found wanting.

We now look at another problem prevalent across Europe with enterprise and investment falling short of levels necessary to support economic growth and the European social model. Whereas support measures especially at times of crisis have proved necessary to support enterprise, the level of enterprise especially in start-up situations has not lived up to expectations. In our view, the root cause of the problem is embedded in a culture where individuals are risk-averse and unenthusiastic about the enterprise.