The Spanish Social Economy Employers’ Confederation (CEPES), established in 1992, is a nationwide employer’s confederation whose inter-industry nature makes it the largest representative institution for Social Economy in Spain, becoming a platform for institutional dialogue with the public authorities.

As the organisation that brings together the different economic activities that exist under the concept of Social Economy, CEPES comprises 29 organisations. All of these organisations are national or regional confederations and specific business groups that represent the interests of Co-operatives, Employee-Owned Companies, Mutual Societies, Social Integration Enterprises, Special Employment Centres, Fishermen’s Guilds and Associations in the Disability Industry, with more than 200 support structures at regional level.

CEPES exists as the single spokesperson that integrates and structures all confederate organisations. It defines itself as an economic and social stakeholder that acts on the market and that, through its activity, has an impact on society. It has its own legal standing and defends a business model that has its own specific values.

It represents 10% of GDP.

• Foster and defend Social Economy and the movements and sectors that it comprises.
• Have an impact and influence the establishment of Public Policy and legislation at national and international level.
• Favour economic development in the country as a way to achieve stability and pluralism in economic markets.
• Transfer a way of doing business that is socially responsible and that has specific values to society and to the sphere of business.
• Express and defend the common interests of the member institutions before society and the Administration as well as at European and international institutions.
• Defend and express the common aspects and interests of Social Economy before all instances in the economic, social, cultural or political spheres of the State and the European Union.
• Study all types of problems that arise generally across Social Economy institutions, agree the relevant solutions and establish the following lines of joint activity.
• Establish and facilitate the services that may be of common or specific interest to Social Economy organisations.
• Promote the advancement of business management methods and techniques, especially through research and dissemination and through organising and running means for training and information.