Government contracts and social economy

Government contracts were quickly established as a problem to which the federal capability in terms of social economy could contribute in various ways. On the one hand by commuting the purposes of the social economy within government contracts (and therefore take other criteria into consideration other than solely the search for 'profit', here represented by the financial savings that public authorities could make by selecting the least expensive option) and on the other hand, by ensuring that those involved in the social economy take part in government contract procedures. 

There are several possible initiatives in this case:

• Social clauses
• The addition of ethical, social or environmental considerations
• Social priorities

In order to encourage the use of these various possibilities, the idea of a support structure for government contracts has often been the focus of debate, in particular during the employment conference in October 2003.