Ingenuity and Resilience: Social Enterprises during the COVID-19 crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most social enterprises active in the circular economy faced significant challenges. However, RREUSE members stayed proactive in contributing to a fair and green recovery where possible, and offered all kinds of social and environmental services to help those most in need, with a strong focus on re-use, repair and recycling.

This briefing outlines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the re-use and repair sector, and illustrates social enterprises’ contribution to a more resilient society. The ultimate aim is to shed light on the resilience and adaptation capacity of social enterprises during times of great societal and economic challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other disasters and crises. In addition, this briefing also underlines why social enterprises, often at the forefront of crises, must be included and given access to all forms of economic relief measures, such as the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. Not only are they market operators and environmental service providers, they also act as social services which in times of crisis, fill the gaps and often go on their own cost.