In the present work I propose an analysis, both theoretically and empirically, about the social economy through various forms of organization which exist in the European countries. As a result of this analysis, I will show that in some countries the concept of social economy, and implicitly its forms of organization, enjoys a higher level of acceptance and in others this concept is in its early stages of implementation. The social economy in Europe has established numerous organizations to act as its representatives. Through them, the social economy of Europe took part in the processes of elaboration and implementation of national and EU policies. In different European countries social economy associations have created platforms that represent credit unions, labor and agricultural cooperatives, mutual insurance companies, corporations and associations of complementary insurance and other non-governmental organizations of social action. The social economy has played a historic role in different EU policies since the Treaty was signed in Rome, when it was founded Eurocoop, the organization representing consumer cooperatives in Europe, and in the process of developing the common agricultural policy. For social economy organizations, the economic performances are separated from the social ones, so the efficiency is often difficult to measure. It has responsibilities not only towards its members but also to the community, generating the term 'Social Responsibility' or Corporate Social Responsibility (C.S.R.). Economic and social reality shows that the expression 'social economy' is widespread and expanding in all EU countries. But the term 'social economy' and its scientific concept is not the same in all EU countries, sometimes within the same country coexists with other terms and similar concepts. The development of social economy in the new Member States of the European Union involves a reconstruction of the national systems. A competitive social financing cannot be achieved without real support from both the political environment and the business environment. All of this must be completed by a incentive and supportive legislative system.