The uniqueness of social economy lies in the fact that it always puts people at the centre. It strengthens their potential and responds to their individual needs. It successfully uses the resources of local communities.

On 10 June this year, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy held a ceremony to announce the results of the 5th edition of the "Quality Mark of Social and Solidarity Economy 2022" competition.

– It is a competition which aims to honour entities contributing to the social and economic development of local communities - said Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg during the event.

5th edition of the "Quality Mark of Social and Solidarity Economy" competition

As Minister Marlena Maląg underlined, in this year's edition of the "Quality Mark of Social and Solidarity Economy" competition a record number of applications was received. The Quality Mark certificate will go to another 164 entities. Approximately 370 entities have already been awarded the Quality Mark in the previous editions of the competition.

– Thank you for extending a helping hand to others every day. At the same time I wish you every success in the development of your enterprises and activities for the development of social and solidarity economy in Poland - said the Minister of Family.

The awards were presented to the winners by Minister Marlena Maląg and Anita Czerwińska, Deputy Minister for Family Affairs and Government Plenipotentiary for Social Economy.

– This year, the "Quality Mark of Social and Solidarity Economy" competition broke all records when it comes to the number of submitted applications. This shows that the idea of social economy is really gaining momentum - said Deputy Minister Anita Czerwińska.

She added that the Act on Social Economy is already in the Parliament and has been given a print number.

- We will deal with this matter as urgently as possible. As a government plenipotentiary for social economy, at the moment I am dealing with the most important thing, i.e. with passing the Act on Social Economy by the Sejm - assured Czerwińska.

The competition is held in 5 categories

I – DEBUT OF THE YEAR

• Spółdzielnia Socjalna Sekret Smaku
• Hrubieszowska Spółdzielnia Socjalna im. Zośki
• Spółdzielnia Socjalna Fabryka Kreatywności

II – THE BEST EMPLOYER

• Spółdzielnia Socjalna Ecoss
• Centrum Integracji Społecznej w Siedlcach
• Caritas Diecezji Kieleckiej

III – MARKET SUCCESS

• Fundacja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości Społecznej Być Razem
• Spółdzielnia Socjalna Opoka
• Stowarzyszenie Trzeźwości w Odolanowie Centrum Integracji Społecznej

IV – LOAN WITH SOCIAL BENEFIT

• Spółdzielnia Socjalna Serowa Kraina
• Fundacja Pro Omnis
• Stowarzyszenie Regiony Nowych Szans Vesna

V – SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• Powiat Łęczyński
• Gmina Opole Lubelskie
• Gmina Jędrzejów

Minister Maląg also presented a special award from the Minister of Family and Social Policy.

Congratulations to the Winners and Certified Entities were also delivered by representatives of the competition partners - Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego and the European Meeting Centre - Nowy Staw Foundation.

Prizes for competition winners

The benefits of participation in the "Quality Mark for Social and Solidarity Economy" competition are manifold. Apart from the prestige resulting from the possibility to use the certificate, the winners of the competition - i.e. the three highest ranked entities in each category - receive awards in the form of:

• advisory and training packages worth PLN 10,000 (for categories I-IV),
• study visits abroad or prizes in kind,
• production of films about the winners' activities,
• participation in trade fairs (for categories I-IV).

The total value of the prize for each Winner is about PLN 21 thousand

In addition, winners in categories I-IV will receive a financial award of PLN 10,000 funded by the BGK Foundation.

Certified Entities will receive awards in the form of:

• advisory and training packages worth PLN 3,000 (for categories I-IV),
• equipment related to their business activity.