Economía social y sector no lucrativo: Actualidad científica y perspectivas

In this paper, we intend to analyze some scientific questions of current importance in the Social Economy field and Non-profit sector. In the first place, we show the growing economical importance of this field in Europe, based on the results obtained in the last transnational study. Secondly, we try to think about the concept of non-profit as well as about the position of co-operatives and associations within the Non-profit sector, introducing some criteria of analysis. Immediately after, we study this economical field under a “social” point of view. Finally, the paper analyses the place and content of Social Economy, both business and non-profit sectors, within the limits of European public policies.