The European Social Economy Regions (ESER) initiative is a community network with over 100 members, promoted by the European Commission. It supports Commission social economy policies and was actively involved in the co-creation process of the transition pathway for the proximity and social economy ecosystem.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many ESER activities were postponed, cancelled, or transformed into a digital setting, reducing the dynamic character of peer-learning activities among ESER members.
This call for expression of interest aims to revitalise the ESER network and open it to new members.
Eligibility criteria
Regional/local public authorities can become part of the ESER network. The Commission also invites local and regional authorities and other local and regional stakeholders that took part in previous ESER Mission calls to join the ESER network and bring along their relevant expertise.
The Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs will select ESER 2023 events through an ad-hoc selection committee. It will be based on the selection criteria and the geographical balance of the event organisers.
Commission invites applicants to
- show local or regional competence in social economy or express the ambition to develop local or regional competence on the topic
- demonstrate knowledge and links to local or regional social economy stakeholder networks, federations, associations or relevant business support organisations
- express willingness to take part in regular (online and physical) ESER exchange events organised by the European Commission
- organise a (policy, stakeholder, capacity building) event on social economy, social entrepreneurship or social innovation (preferably with a link to one of the 14 action areas mentioned below under thematic areas).
ESER 2023 thematic area
In 2023, ESER activities could focus in particular, but not exclusively, on ‘Cooperation for the social economy ecosystem transition pathway implementation’
Deadline: 2023/04/06
