News of the European Social Economy
SEN#38March 2025
The resurgence of utopia in the social and solidarity economy
By Alexandrine Lapoutte
"For a time banished for having led to the worst, then swallowed up by galloping liberalism, utopias seem to come back to our consciousnesses and imaginaries. Very recently, Covid has given rise to a certain utopian effervescence around sustainability and the ecological transition, and has put the question of the “world after” on the public and political scene (Allen, 2022; Claeys, 2022)".
Read moreHighlights
European Social Economy urges the EU to strengthen its Social Fund to fulfill its commitments to citizens
"The European Union is at a crucial moment in planning its future budget, where possible cuts to essential social investment programs are being discussed. In this context, 133 European and national organizations, including Social Economy Europe and Social Platform, have signed the document "Time for Ambition: The EU Needs a Strong Social Fund to live up to its commitments." In this document, they warn that reducing or merging funds aimed at labor integration, training, and social inclusion could jeopardize the EU’s social commitments and negatively impact millions of citizens".
Read more
The European Economic and Social Committee calls for adapting state aid rules to strengthen the social economy
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has urged the European Commission and Member States to review and adapt state aid rules to ensure better support for social economy entities. This is stated in the opinion "Social economy entities and state aid rules", whose rapporteur was EESC member Giuseppe Guerini. The opinion was adopted at the EESC plenary session on January 25, with 216 votes in favor, 4 abstentions, and 1 vote against.
Read more
Social Economy Europe launches the third edition of the European Social Economy Awards
The third edition of the European Social Economy Awards, which have been recognising the best business ideas and promotion plans since 2022, will be held on 16 September in Murcia (Spain), within the framework of the EU Social Economy Week. Applications are open until 16 June in the following five categories: Education and Training, Promotion Plans, Housing, Clean Energy, and Innovation in Social Enterprises.
Read more
Inmaculada Carrasco, new president of the Ibero-American Observatory of Employment and Social and Cooperative Economy (OIBESCOOP)
Inmaculada Carrasco Monteagudo, professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, has been elected as the new president of the Ibero-American Observatory of Employment and Social and Cooperative Economy (OIBESCOOP) during the assembly held online on February 26. Professor Carrasco replaces Carmen Marcuello Servós, who was recently appointed president of the International Scientific Commission “Social & Cooperative Economy” of CIRIEC International.
Read more
Cooperatives on the Agenda at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women
During a side event at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), cooperatives were highlighted as an innovative way to empower communities and women, and transform care systems. Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 10 to 21, CSW69 focused on reviewing and assessing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly.
Read more
AMICE calls on the European Commission to reduce the regulatory burden on mutual and cooperative insurers without compromising sustainability and transparency
The Association of Mutual Insurers and Insurance Cooperatives in Europe (AMICE) has submitted its recommendations on the Omnibus program to the European Commission, emphasizing the need to reduce the regulatory reporting burden without compromising sustainability and transparency ambitions.
Read more
AIM welcomes the EU Critical Medicines Act as a step towards equitable access and a resilient supply chain
The International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) has welcomed the recent publication of the EU Critical Medicines Act, considering it as a key initiative to strengthen equitable access to medicines across all Member States. AIM firmly supports measures that improve the affordability and availability of medicines while ensuring the sustainability of solidarity-based healthcare systems.
Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Review will publish a Special Issue on Social Economy in Rural Areas
Social Entrepreneurship Review is calling for papers for a special issue that aims to assess institutional support for rural and community development; identify the role of social entrepreneurship, including women-led initiatives in rural development, and analyze sustainable business models applicable to rural areas that align with human and environmental needs.
Read more
France: Towards a National ESS Strategy
On March 3rd , the members of the Higher Council of the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) gathered at the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the invitation of Véronique Louwagie, the Minister Delegate in charge of Trade, Crafts, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and the Social and Solidarity Economy of France. The national SSE development strategy that France must present to the European Commission by the end of 2025 will undergo extensive consultation with stakeholders, including local authorities, local actors, and SSE networks. The minister has announced unprecedented resources to ensure this consultation is carried out on three levels: a national component, a local component, and a citizen consultation.
Read more
ENSIE calls at the European Social Forum 2025 for stronger policies and financial support to improve the impact of Work Integration Social Enterprises
ENSIE, the European Network representing Work Integration Social Enterprises, took part in the European Employment and Social Rights Forum, held on 5-6 March 2025 at the EGG, Brussels. The Forum brought together experts from different sectors to discuss one of Europe’s key challenges: ensuring people have the skills needed for today’s jobs while strengthening Europe’s economy.
Read more
Social Platform Warns Against Using Cohesion Policy for Increased Defence Spending
In light of recent global political developments, there are plans underway to significantly increase defense spending across the EU. In this context, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on proposed on 4 March to redirect cohesion policy programmes to support defense-related investments. Social Platform’s Secretary General, Laura de Bonfils states: “To ‘ReArm Europe’ may need €800 billion in defense spending, but redirecting valuable cohesion funds would be a big mistake. Stability in Europe is not just about military spending – it also depends on investment in its people".
Read moreResearch and Studies
The Book: ‘Social and Solidarity Economy’, by Timothée Duverger
The book ‘Social and Solidarity Economy’, by Timothée Duverger, PhD in History and professor at Sciences Po Bordeaux, published in 2023 in French is now available in English and in Spanish. Duverger leads the TerrESS chair, as well as the Master’s in "Social and Solidarity Economy and Social Innovation" (ESSIS) and the executive Master’s in "Strategies, Territories, and Innovative Projects in Social and Solidarity Economy" (STPI-ESS).
Read moreSocial Economy Schedule
CIRIEC-Spain will hold its XX International Congress of Researchers in Social Economy from April 2 to 4, 2025, in Jaén
CIRIEC-Spain calls for participation in the 20th International Congress of Social Economy Researchers, which will take place in Jaén on 2, 3 and 4 April 2025, under the direction of Adoración Mozas, Professor at the University of Jaén, President of CIRIEC-Spain and Vice-president of CIRIEC International. The 20th Congress of CIRIEC-Spain marks the consolidation of a tradition of almost four decades, an achievement that reflects the continuity and relevance of CIRIEC’s research work in social economy, as well as the commitment of the academic and professional community to promote and strengthen this field in Spain and internationally. All the information about the Congress on the official website: https://www.ciriec-congresos.es/
+infoConference on public service cooperatives, 28 March 2025 - Sciences Po Bordeaux, France
The Edgard Milhaud Foundation, CIRIEC-International, CIRIEC-France and Sciences Po Bordeaux are organising a conference on public service cooperatives on 28 March. These cooperatives combine independence from public authorities, financial responsibility and reinvestment of profits in the general interest, thus avoiding the excesses associated with monopolies. They are distinguished by their democratic and egalitarian model, which gives users an active role, especially in capital, unlike traditional public or commercial structures. The day will explore the role of public service cooperatives from a historical perspective, and will analyse their current situation in France and in the EU.
+info5th International Research Congress of CIRIEC-Mexico - 28, 29 and 30 May 2025
The Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana and CIRIEC-Mexico call for the 5th International Research Congress of CIRIEC-Mexico, under the theme ‘Theoretical development and experiences that consolidate the social and solidarity economy’. The Congress will be held on 28, 29 and 30 May 2025 in the Ex - Hacienda de San Juan de Dios colony, Tlalpan, Mexico City. The call for papers is open until 11 April 2025 for one of the many working groups.
+info
