The Social Economy comprises a range of different organizational entities and actors. The SE is often refered to as a "third sector" of economic and political activity, separate from the private sector (business) and the public sector (government), though it can interact and possess elements of both. This third sector can be broken down further into three sub-sectors: the community sector, the voluntary sector and the social enterprise sector. Among the organizations that are a part of the Social Economy are:

• social assests (housing, childcare etc.)
• social economy enterprises
• cooperatives
• community training and skills development
• integrated social, political and economic planning
• capacity building and community empowerment initiatives
• credit unions
• non-profit organizations and civil society groups
• the voluntary sector
• charities and foundations
• mutuals
• micro-credit enterprises
• ethical financing and purchasing groups
• the trade union movement
• "grass-roots" organizations