New Competition – Quality Mark of Social and Solidary Economy

The competition for the award of the Quality Mark of Social and Solidary Economy 2018 has been launched. Applications may be submitted by social cooperatives of natural persons and social economy entities benefiting from repayable financial support under the European Social Fund.

“This is our new initiative thanks to which we want to appreciate social economy entities even more. At the same time, this way we’re promoting the very idea of the social economy for which, apart from the economic goal, the social mission of such undertakings is equally important, or perhaps even the most important,” says Elżbieta Rafalska, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

The first edition of the Competition will honour entities which most successfully combine economic activity with social involvement. The winners will receive certificates confirming the high quality of services and products provided by the social economy sector.

Certificates will be awarded in two categories:

1.     Category I. Social cooperatives of natural persons,

2.     Category II. Project of the SEE financed from repayable funds under the European Social Fund.

The following awards are provided for the winners of the Competition in both categories:

1.     for the 1st to 3rd place – a support package worth PLN 10,000,

2.     for granting the certificate of the quality mark – a support package worth PLN 3,000.

As part of the pool provided for in a given package, the laureate or certified entity will be able to use consultancy, training and other forms of support for its operations, e.g. legal or accounting services provided for in the certification system. The packages will give the opportunity to obtain services tailored to the needs of certified entities.