Social Firms UK

"The Linz Appeal" outlines why there should be more Social Firms for disabled and disadvantaged people across Europe. The document makes a series of recommendations to the European Union for how the growth of Social Firms can be encouraged, in line with their employment and social exclusion agendas. The publication was launched at the 20th CEFEC Conference in Linz, Austria in October 2007. CEFEC (The Confederation of European Social Firms, Employment Initiatives and Social Co-operatives) and its members across many EU countries have gathered a wealth of experience over the last twenty years on Social Firm development. The issue of how to create paid employment for disabled and disadvantaged people, especially those with mental health issues, remains a challenge for all EU countries. Social Firms which operate on the open market have shown a successful way of integration and inclusion.