​​​​​​​​​​​During the 6th meeting of the SEDEC commission, held on 17 February, members held the first exchange of views on a working document on the EU Action Plan on Social Economy prepared by our SEDEC coordinator Mr Mikel Irujo Amezaga, minister in the government of Navarre. Presenting the opinion, Mr Irujo said that we need a clear definition, improved financing and recognition of social economy as an engine for regional economic development. The draft opinion will be discussed at the next SEDEC meeting in April. 

During the same meeting, EA group president Kieran McCarthy (Cork City Council, Ireland) was active in several thematic debates. Discussing the action plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, Cllr McCarthy emphasized the cross-butting nature of the Pillar and drew attention to the work of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)'s Ireland branch and Cork City Council's work on social inclusion.

During the debate on achieving the European Education Area by 2025, Cllr McCarthy expressed his support for an EU-wide scheme to collect best practices from the ground and highlighted the work done by the Education and Training Boards (ETB) in Ireland, particularly the good cooperation between the ETB Cork and Cork City Council.