As the final highlight of the European Social Economy Conference in San Sebastian, the awards ceremony for the 2nd edition of the Social Economy Europe Awards took place on November 14. These awards are presented biennially. In this edition, 12 finalist organizations were recognized across four different categories, along with 5 institutional awards.
Organization Awards
Skills Category
This category honors organizations working on improving and recycling the skills of social economy employees, potential entrepreneurs, students, among others, and/or developing training and courses related to the social economy.
First Prize: Digital Talent Program, Fundación ONCE (Spain)
First Runner-up: ETRE Schools, Les écoles ETRE (France)
Second Runner-up: Radia Program for Women’s Digital Inclusion, Fundación ONCE (Spain)
Social Innovation Category
Recognizes projects that focus on the inclusion of vulnerable or marginalized individuals, such as immigrants; accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities; gender equality; LGBTQIA+ rights; youth social entrepreneurship and inclusion in the job market; innovative social services; as well as other solutions to social issues.
First Prize: Vienna Hobby Lobby (Austria)
First Runner-up: Energía Ciudadana S. Coop (Spain)
Second Runner-up: Tequio (France)
Green Transition Category
Acknowledges the work of companies and entities involved in renewable energy, housing, sustainable mobility, circular economy, water management, sustainable food production, among others, and/or in the areas covered by the Green Transition of the Transition Pathway on Proximity and Social Economy.
First Prize: Energie Solidaire (France)
First Runner-up: AGRESTA S. COOP. (Spain)
Second Runner-up: Comunitat Minera Olesana (Spain)
Digitalization Category
Awards initiatives and projects in the social economy operating in the digital economy or with a significant focus on technological innovation and/or working in the areas covered by the Digital Transition of the Transition Pathway on Proximity and Social Economy.
First Prize: Panacea Cooperative Research S. Coop (Spain)
First Runner-up: Open Food Network Europe (Italy)
Second Runner-up: Kloosiv Housing SCCL (Spain)
Institutional Awards
Recognize the support, promotion, and advocacy of various authorities in favor of the social economy.
This year’s awardees were the second vice president of the Spanish government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Minister of Labor and Social Policies of Bulgaria, Ivanka Shalapatova; the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Economy and Climate Action of Germany, Sven Giegold; the co-chair of the Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament, Patrizia Toia; and the Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights of the EU, Nicolas Schmit.
