Social-Economic Enterprises In Denmark

Social-economic enterprises are enterprises with a social object in addition to selling products or services. This report describes social-economic enterprises in Denmark working on inclusion of marginalised groups in the labour market. How many are there and what characterises the enterprises and their employees?
The survey found 115 social-economic enterprises distributed between 129 workplaces. This is fewer that hitherto assumed. They are all small or medium-sized enterprises, but otherwise they are very different from each other. A questionnaire survey of the enterprises shows that some target private customers in the market, others are built up around associations and volunteers, while others are more closely attached to the municipal employment system.
In interviews, managers say that it is hard to run a social-economic enterprise, and in particular they point to requirements in the Employment Act and EU tendering rules as obstacles.
The survey also includes a register analysis of private businesses in which at least 20 percent of their employees are marginalised.
The survey has been financed by the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration.