EN
The main goal of this article is to describe the activities of Credit Unions as institutions of social economy. The Authors begin from positioning the social economy in a market, where the public sector, private sector and the so-called third sector merge, and describe the social and economic criteria, characterizing operators in the sector of social economy. The article also describes the historical roots of social action of Credit Unions that have survived to this day and are implemented in various areas of social life. Presenting concrete examples of projects and activities of selected institutions of Credit Unions’ movement, the Authors prove the thesis that the social economy fills the gap between public and private sectors, satisfying the needs and implementing these social objectives, which are not, or can not be implemented by the state or the market.