Galega de Economía Social (COGAMI Empresarial)– Social Economy Companies Group #
Galega de Economía Social, S.L. (GES) is the parent company of Grupo COGAMI EMPRESARIAL, linked to the Confederación Galega de Personas con Discapacidad (COGAMI). COGAMI’s mission, as a social entity, is to work for the full inclusion of people with disabilities by defending and promoting their rights and demanding social change.
In 2003, Galega de Economía social was established, consolidating the management as COGAMI EMPRESARIAL. Currently, the COGAMI Business Group is made up of 10 business initiatives that, through joint efforts, seek to create value and quality employment for people with disabilities in Galicia through competitive projects that generate confidence. All these initiatives are qualified as Special Employment Centres of Social Initiative (CEEIS), and operate in sectors as heterogeneous as the environment, textile trade, graphic arts, food, production of health material or adapted transport.
All these companies have the category of Special Employment Centre of Social Initiative (non-profit), which means that at least 70% of their staff is made up of people with disabilities, and they are part of what is known as Social Economy.
GES also collaborates in CSR projects with other entities, companies, city councils, universities, etc., with a double vision: to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of people with disabilities and to improve their own work processes.
Problem addressed #
People with disabilities have difficulties in finding employment, and employment is an essential factor for their social inclusion.
Objectives & implementation #
The main objective and/or purpose is to work for a more inclusive society through the employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
More than 90% of the staff of these Centres are in possession of a disability certificate. The management of people represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Group, where each CEEIS promotes a policy of commitment and transparency in the management of its projects, committing to solid and professional employment structures.
Stakeholders #
The main beneficiaries of this good practice are the employees involved in these CEEIS.
Timescale #
Since 2003 to the present.
Fields of application #
Promoting more inclusive societies through employment.
Transferability #
This business model is replicable and/or transferable to other countries / contexts. There are similar models in other Spanish Autonomous Communities, even at state level.
Impact & Results #
More than 90% of the workforce are people with disabilities specialised in highly competitive sectors, carrying out different projects in a wide range of fields: environmental, food, graphic arts, transport, distribution and recycling.
Main Figures (data end of financial year 2022):
- 10 business initiatives. All of them Social Initiative Special Employment Centres.
- 88% of the employees with disabilities.
- Turnover: +27.4 M euros.
