“Social Production” – Value Creation through Appreciation: Sustainable Opportunities for the Environment, Economy, and Society

9 partners from East Austria and West Hungary work on cooperation between economy, the public sector and social enterprises in the EU project of "SoPro HU-AT"

At the premises of the BENE AG company at Waidhofen/Ybbs, a pioneer enterprise in sustainability, the model of cooperation of "Social Production" has been introduced. Lower Austrian Minister for Economy, Dr. Petra Bohuslav, officially launched this EU project. Ms. Bohuslav: "It is the aim of this project to strengthen the social column of sustainability in Lower Austria and its partner regions. Our task is to expand cooperation between economic and social enterprises, and to build cooperation at eye level, in order to develop sustainable products and services of high quality, and to further their marketability."

Social Production is a project approach, which has been developed within a working group consisting of three Lower Austrian Departments (Rural Development, Economy, Social Affairs) and the initiator of this project, KOMUNITAS OG. Social Production means regional economic activity with social competence. Social enterprises of the 2nd and 3rd labour markets produce quality products for economic enterprises and public clients with creativity and commitment, under technical support according to sustainable criteria. Needs and opportunities of this cooperation have in the meantime been tested in a large number of practical examples. The results show that all participants benefit from the model of "Social Production":

Social enterprises and their employees generate increased internal cash flow, meaningful work, and a broader offer for qualification of male and female employees.
Economic enterprises and public institutions receive sensible products coming up to the standards of CSR, and services from the region.
Environmental responsibility is assumed by recycling or even upcycling of waste material from enterprises into processed quality products, and by support of eco-design of new products.

The central finding from previous experience is that an interface is required between the idea of a potential customer and its implementation within a social enterprise, where process-oriented efforts are taken:

for the development of products and services coming up to demand
for a permanent negotiation between the players concerning contents and time management

This process of negotiation ideally starts at the product idea or innovation needs, and it is oriented towards the opportunities and requirements of a CSR strategy, which can be implemented successfully and credibly in the enterprise by such cooperation with social enterprises.

In the "SoPro HU-AT" project of Territorial Cooperation, financed by the European Union, the approach of Social Production as a model of a process-oriented consultation is developed further in a well-directed manner until mid-2014 in Lower Austria, Vienna, Styria, Burgenland, and in West Hungary in the administrative units of Vas, Zala, Gyoer-Moson-Sopron.

From the project of "SoPro HU-AT – socially produced for the environment", 1,000 contacts with enterprises shall arise, and 100 practical examples of cooperation between the players shall be elaborated and supported. For the trademark of „socially produced", registered in the trademark register, a catalogue of criteria shall be elaborated together with partners from social economy. Also publications, such as training manuals and scientific volumes, and a structure of a platform for an independent further development of this topic on a regional and transnational basis shall be created. This project approach shall also be integrated into scientific discussion.

Aims of "Social Production"

Strengthening of enterprises and social institutions
well-targeted processing of waste material from enterprises into new products
innovation, and optimization in products and processes
vitalization of regional economic cycles
focus on sustainability through "process-oriented consultation", quality, and cooperation based on mutual appreciation
creation of an interface, where ideas are developed and partners can be linked = "platform of socially produced", basis for further training and qualification

Partner organizations of "Social Production / SoPro HU-AT" EU project

SENEC Association, Soil and Bioenergy Network of European Countries – LEAD PARTNER
LEED Non-profit GmbH., Szombathely (HU)
Zalakar Non-profit GmbH, Zala (HU)
BMV Burgenland Association for Waste Management, Oberpullendorf
Radkersburg Waste Association
Assisted Living Radkersburg
Bio Research Austria, Vienna
Vienna Environmental Consulting
KOMUNITAS OG, Eschenau, Lower Austria

Strategic partners of "Social Production"

Lower Austrian Governmental Authorities: Department of Rural Development, Economy, and Social Affairs
ÖIN – Austrian Institute for Sustainable Development at BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
BDV – Vienna Federal Umbrella Association for Social Enterprises
BMASK / Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection
Austrian Chamber of Agriculture
GREENCARE
Chamber of Labour of Vienna
Public Employment Service Lower Austria
RepaNet – Repair Network
ATM – Mid-Tyrol Waste Association
Lilienfeld Waste Association
Pannon Textile Cluster
Pannon Renewable Energy Cluster
REKORD network
ZALAISPA Zrt.