Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 19 ISSUE 2
Written by Petronela CRISTEA, Emilia DAN, Ion DONA

The purpose of this research is to analyze how rural areas use social enterprises as a tool for enhancing progress across economic and social domains. Social economy has been given many definitions over time, but regardless of the discussed concept, the main purpose of “the third sector of the economy” is the same. The social economy has emerged from the need to find new and innovative solutions for social, economic or environmental problems of communities and to meet the needs of community members that are ignored or insufficiently covered by the private and public sectors. The methodology that led to this paper is represented by relevant studies in the analyzed field, the legislation in force and analysis made by the Romanian National Institute of Statistics. Social enterprises are considered to be the engine of local development, thus contributing to solving social and economic problems. The main benefits of these businesses are: increasing the level of social cohesion, creating jobs for disadvantaged people, improving the cooperation between community members and institutions, increasing the environment and life's quality, emphasizing the Romanian traditions and handicrafts that are part of the country's culture, thus putting into the value the cultural potential specific to the area to which it belongs.

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