About

Connecting ecosystems, driving social innovation, and strengthening the global social and solidarity economy.

Who we are

We are one of the world’s leading networks dedicated to advancing the social economy, social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Founded in 1997, we bring together a wide and diverse community of Member Organisations to strengthen democratic, people‑centred economic models that prioritise social and environmental impact over profit.   

We recognise the social economy as a key driver of inclusive growth, quality employment, sustainability and community resilience.   

At the heart of our activity is the belief that collaboration and shared knowledge feed innovation and systemic change. Through capacity building, peer learning, research, technical assistance, project design, training and advisory services, we support members — and the wider ecosystem — in developing new social innovations, improving policy frameworks, and fostering cross‑sector partnerships that amplify impact.   

We work in partnership with key European and international networks, contribute to EU and global consultations, and help co‑create platforms and tools that strengthen the visibility, recognition and operational capacity of diverse social economy stakeholders.

member organisations
55 +
countries
25 +

Manifesto

The Diesis Manifesto, developed collaboratively with our members in 2020, reflects a truly bottom-up approach: it ensures that the network’s future direction is shaped by the community itself and that our support is tailored to its real needs. The process led to the definition of clear strategic goals for the network, guiding our priorities and actions. Today, the Manifesto serves as a “white paper”, outlining our vision, strategic direction, and commitment to strengthening the social economy and fostering social innovation across Europe. 

Gender Equality Plan

The Diesis Gender Equality Plan (2022) guides our efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organisation and the communities we serve. As a living document, it evolves continuously, helping us strengthen impact and drive progress on gender equality across all our activities.