Opportunities and risks in the social economy

Defined as the key engine of economic and social development in Europe, a combination of welfare and solidarity, the social economy reduces the risk of dependence on social services, improves living conditions and offers new perspectives to individuals. Through an in-depth analysis of articles related to this field, published in scientific journals in the last 5 years, we want to analyze the opportunities and risks of professional integration of the most socially disadvantaged groups in Romania, such as people with disabilities, people who they left school and the Roma ethnic group early, etc. Following the content analysis of the articles, we were able to identify a number of opportunities, such as: increasing the standard of living and reducing the risk of dependence on social benefits, economic security and job stability or reducing social stigma. At the same time, we highlighted a number of risks, such as the difficulties of obtaining financing and the management of their social enterprises so that they become economically efficient. This paper contributes to the broadening of knowledge about this economic model promoted in the EU and has the role of opening new possible directions of research. Secondly, the paper highlights a number of practical implications for the inclusion of vulnerable people in the labor market.