Social Economy Europe is calling for applications for the third edition of the European Social Economy Awards. The III ‘Social Economy Awards’ will be presented on 16 September in Murcia (Spain), during the EU Social Economy Week. Applications can be submitted until 16 June through this form.
To be eligible, organisations must be based in an EU-27 Member State or in one of the following regions: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Serbia), Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine), Turkey, Southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia), the United Kingdom, and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
Following the success of the previous editions held in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and San Sebastián (Spain), the best initiatives will be recognised in a high-profile ceremony in Murcia, with strong visibility among key social economy stakeholders and institutional representatives.
This year’s award categories are:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN SOCIAL ECONOMY
For entities offering innovative and high-quality education or training programmes related to the skills needed to develop a social economy initiative.
QUALITY SOCIAL ECONOMY ACTION PLANS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
This category rewards cities and regions with strong strategies for promoting social economy as a key pillar of economic and social growth. Local or regional governments with a proven track record of policies and practices involving social economy actors in territorial development are eligible.
HOUSING
This category recognises social economy initiatives providing affordable housing solutions, offering inspiring models to address the housing crisis in Europe. Eligible applicants include social economy organisations or enterprises such as housing cooperatives or community land trusts.
CLEAN ENERGY
This category rewards initiatives addressing the energy crisis in Europe by offering consumer-managed clean energy solutions. Eligible applicants are social economy organisations or enterprises providing local energy solutions, contributing to EU energy autonomy and offering alternatives to profit-driven price inflation.
INNOVATION IN WORK INTEGRATION SOCIAL ENTERPRISES (WISEs) – supported by ENSIE
This category rewards innovative practices led by Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) that foster social inclusion and the integration of vulnerable people into the labour market.
Promoted by ENSIE (European Network of Social Integration Enterprises), this category highlights the role of WISEs in providing employment, training, and tailored support to individuals facing barriers such as long-term unemployment or disabilities.
For any questions, please send e-mail to: contact@socialeconomy.eu.org
