Resources
This resource library brings together key publications, tools, and learning materials supporting the development of the social economy across Europe.
Food sustainability in the VET school curriculum
- Type: Article
- Author: Bianca Fabbrocino & Annamaria Di Palma ISIS “De Gennaro”
- Published on: 13/02/2023
Social Economy Enterprises and Cultural & Cretive Industries
- Type: Good practices, Guide/Handbook/Toolkit
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 02/01/2018
Pathways for development of social economy ecosystem in Lithuania: building on European experiences
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
A Map of Social Economy Tourism
The paper proposes an overview of the latest EU policy developments and strategies on both the social economy and tourism and a collection of several best practices from different European countries in the fields of rural communities, community-based enterprises, cooperatives in action, cultural heritage, digital platforms, inclusion and diversity. The best practices presented in this paper show the benefits of tourism when developed in a social economy perspective.
- Type: Good practices, Research Paper
- Author: Beatriz Gateira, Gianluca Pastorelli, Anastasia Costantini, Eleonora Lamio, Paul Hammoud.
Sustainability in the food and hospitality industry
- Type: Article
- Author: Julieta Guillén, Cristina Fernández, ESHOB
- Published on: 01/03/2023
Social Economy Approach To Creating Gender Safe Workplaces
- Type: Article
- Author: Alessia Sebillo
Rural women’s empowerment through green social entrepreneurship: Insights from Slovenia
- Type: Article
- Author: Štefan Bojnec University of Primorska
- Published on: 01/12/2022
Transition Pathway Proximity And Social Economy
- Type: Good practices, Research Paper, Policy Paper
- Author: European commission - DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
- Published on: 01/01/2022
Situation of Social Economy in the MENA region
The social economy is blooming across the globe and a number of countries have been improving their policy frameworks for the last 20 years. This is the case for the countries participating in MedUP! – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia. A series of research analyses of these six countries has found improvements in three key dimensions of ecosystems for the social economy – definitions, policy frameworks and data (quantitative and qualitative) – as well as in other dimensions such as research, innovative projects and umbrella organisations.
- Type: Impact Report, Research Paper
- Author: Samuel Barco
- Published on: 01/01/2022
MedUp! Promoting social entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean region: Inisights from Tunisia
This study is conducted as part of the European Union (EU) funded regional project MedUP! – Promoting social entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean region. MedUP! is a four-year project led by Oxfam Italia in partnership with local partners in Morocco (Oxfam Morocco and Enactus), Tunisia (Oxfam Tunisia and the Tunisian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship), Egypt (Oxfam Egypt and Sekem), Palestine (Oxfam Palestine and the Agricultural Development Association – PARC), Lebanon (Oxfam Lebanon) and Jordan (Oxfam Jordan and Johud). The project aims to promote social entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on the macro, meso and micro levels, through reinforcing the capacities of social entrepreneurship support organisations (SESOs), accelerating existing social enterprises (SEs) and advocacy efforts.
- Type: Impact Report, Research Paper
- Author: Naouel Jabbes, Nexus Tunis
- Published on: 01/03/2022
Macro level research update of the MedUP! Country analysis : insights from Jordan
- Type: Research Paper
- Author: Zayad Daradhek, Samuel Barco
- Published on: 01/03/2022
Macro level research of the MedUP! Country analysis: Insights from Palestine
- Type: Research Paper
- Author: Fed Rayyan, Samuel Barco
- Published on: 01/03/2022
Greening the agri-food sector upskilling the job force
- Type: Article
- Author: Anastasia Costantini , Alessia Sebillo,
- Published on: 01/03/2023
Accelerator of Social Enterprises!” – Romania’s first social economy cluster registered on the European Cluster Platform
- Type: Article
- Author: Ingrid Enache, ADV Romania
- Published on: 01/11/2022
Peer learning partnership outcome report: SSE internationalisation for more resilient ecosystems
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
The role of social economy in sustaining peace
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
Social and green economies in the MENA region: through sustainability, public policies and SDGs
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
BRIDGING PRACTICES THE ROLE OF SOCIAL ECONOMY IN BUILDING PEACE
- Type: Article
- Author: Fabiana Pompermaier, Laia Orzco
- Published on: 01/10/2022
Tourism How Social Economy Can Make It More Sustainable
- Type: Article
- Author: Beatriz Gateira
Gender equality and women empowerment in social economy enterprises: enablers and barriers
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
Profiling the new young social entrepreneur
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 20/03/2026
SOME INSIGHTS OF THE BLUE SOCIAL ECONOMY: THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
- Type: Article
- Author: Francesco De Rosa
- Published on: 02/06/2022
THOUGHTS ABOUT EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION DEMOCRACY AT WORK COMPETITIVENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Type: Article
- Author: Melinda Kelemen
- Published on: 01/05/2022
Study on the opportunities for impact investing to promote the social and green economy in the southern neighbourhood
- Author: Partner
- Published on: 20/03/2026
Twin Transition What Impact For European Citizens
- Type: Article
- Author: Alessia Sebillo
- Published on: 01/04/2022
Social Economy Towards The New European Bauhaus
- Type: Article
- Author: Paul Hammoud
- Published on: 01/03/2022
Why We Took A Bath In The Mediterranean
- Type: Article
- Author: Samuel Barco
- Published on: 02/12/2020
The Future Of Youth What Role For Social Economy
- Type: Article
- Author: Eleonora Lamio
- Published on: 01/03/2021
Buying for social impact – Good practice from around the EU
It is the final publication of the Buying for Social Impact (BSI) project commissioned by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) and the European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) to promote the use of social considerations in public procurement procedures. The project was led by the European Association for Information on Local Development (AEIDL), working in partnership with the European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy (REVES), the Diesis Network, Social Economy Europe (SEE), and the European Network of Social Integration Enterprises (ENSIE). The publication, which includes 22 good practices from 12 countries, is a meaningful collection of good practices that can not only inspire procurers, but also operators in the social economy, so as to stimulate replication across Europe.
- Type: Good practices, Impact Report, Research Paper
- Published on: 01/01/2020
Empowering rural communities through social and solidarity economy: observations and case studies
The whole rural economy is a much more complex ecosystem of activities than farming and forestry. It’s about services; it’s about quality of life; it’s about creative economy and tourism. Rural areas provide a wide variety of flora and fauna and natural resources that can contribute to employment, economic growth and prosperity, preserving the environment and cultural heritage. Which supportive factors can help to overcome identified vicious circles in rural areas? How do social and solidarity economy (SSE) empower rural communities and unlock the potential of rural regions in Europe? The research investigates the potential contribution of SSE in empowering rural communities. After a literature review on the topic, the research focuses on analysing various case studies to reveal the path that social and solidarity economy can take to regenerate positive rurality based on sustainable, innovative and inclusive development.
- Type: Research Paper
- Author: Anastasia Costantini
- Published on: 01/03/2021
KIT for start up and managment of social enteprises
The goal of this KIT is to provide both trainers and trainees a step by step approach on how to develop social enterprises, starting with the understanding of basic concepts and institutional frameworks of setting up a social enterprise in Europe (specifically in Romania, Italy and Belgium), moving on to building and promoting the newly established enterprise. The KIT will offer trainees the required knowledge and instruments to take their idea to the next level and trainers will be able to introduce to potential trainees a step by step approach on how to develop a social enterprise.
- Type: Guide/Handbook/Toolkit
- Author: Romanian Center for European Policies
Social Economy Towards The New European Bauhaus
After a conceptual framework presenting the objectives and challenges of the NEB, the explorative research will be conducted with reference to existing literature and available information on the sectors covering various NEB disciplines (such as inclusion, green, local community, creative and cultural industries), including collecting good practices and analysis of a set of illustrative cases within Diesis Network, one of the widest European Networks supporting innovation for the social economy and social enterprises development. A special focus will be given to Diesis’s members and countries from the Eastern Europe and Balkan region.
- Type: Research Paper
- Published on: 01/06/2021
Regions take an Interest in the Social Economy
- Type: Article
- Author: Toby Johnson
- Published on: 01/10/2020
New EU Pact on migration and asylum a focus on skills and education
- Type: Article
- Author: Paul Hammoud
- Published on: 01/11/2020
Social Enterprises and their ecosystems in Europe
The report is meant to be a learning tool, one that provides facts, figures and examples and promotes discussions. It is ultimately be a source of evidence and inspiration for policies supporting social enterprise development.
- Type: Research Paper
- Author: Carlo Borzaga, Giulia Galera, Barbara Franchini, Stefania Chiomento, Rocío Nogales, Chiara Carini
- Published on: 01/01/2020
Building an Economy that works for people an action plan for the social economy
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
- Type: Policy Paper
- Author: European Commission
- Published on: 03/12/2021
Social Economy Organisations and Trade Unions :Partners in Social Dialogue
- Type: Article
- Author: Melinda Kelemen
- Published on: 02/04/2021
Looking at the Digital Social Economy Scaling is the challenge
- Type: Article
- Author: Samuel BRULISAUER, Anastasia COSTANTINI, Gianluca PASTORELLI.
- Published on: 01/10/2020
Empower rural community through social economy enterprises
- Type: Article
- Author: Anastasia Costantini
- Published on: 01/05/2021
A brief overview of youth unemployment in the EU
- Type: Article
- Author: Alessia Sebillo
- Published on: 01/12/2020
A brief and initial opinion on the Tunisian Law on Social and Solidarity Economy
- Type: Article
- Author: Samuel Barco
- Published on: 01/06/2020
The social economy as a paradigm for the present and the future of Europe: Elements for an Action Plan
- Type: Article
- Author: Diesis Network, Euricse
- Published on: 01/04/2021
The Employee Involvement in Personal and Household Services Industry
Personal and household services (PHS) cover a broad range of activities that contribute to wellbeing at home of families and individuals: child care, long term care for the elderly and for persons with disabilities, cleaning, remedial classes, home repairs, gardening, ICT support, etc. EIforPHS project aimed at exploring : the PHS evolution in EU and in the World; the actors and their business models; the employee involvement experiences with focus on ICP; Information Consutation and Parteciaption; National Situations in Italy, Spain, France and Greece; Relevant Practices.
- Type: Good practices, Research Paper
- Author: Diesis Network
- Published on: 01/01/2016
Youth Social Entrepreneur Competences Profile
The goal of this KIT is to provide both trainers and trainees a step by step approach on how to develop social enterprises, starting with the understanding of basic concepts and institutional frameworks of setting up a social enterprise in Europe (specifically in Romania, Italy and Belgium), moving on to building and promoting the newly established enterprise.
- Type: Framework of competences
- Author: Eleonora Lamio
- Published on: 01/02/2022
Social Innovation Community: case studies
This work is all connected through networks. It’possible to identifie 10 high-impact existing and emerging networks relating to social innovation, and engage and connect actors including researchers, social innovators, citizens, policymakers and others such as intermediaries, businesses, civil society organisations and public sector employees. It work with these networks to increase their size and connectivity, link them with other networks and initiatives, increase their policy influence and build their capacity for learning and sharing. SIC platform was built through a number of complementary solutions like: learning portal, experimentation, research portal and policy portal. Discover the SIC case studies.
- Type: Good practices
- Author: Social Innovation Community
- Published on: 30/11/2016
Preliminary Study on the inclusion for digital emwpowerment for migrant women
This report summarizes the digital labour markets in six EU countries (The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, Bulgaria). It primarily concentrates on the digital skill opportunities for migrants and refugees, with special attention to migrant and refugee women.
- Type: Research Paper
- Author: Frohar Poya
- Published on: 01/07/2021
The positive impact of migrants in the sphere of the economy
This research collect and analyse information on the impact of migrant population in Europe on 3 different areas: the migrants’ contribution to European economic value, including innovative entrepreneurship and new products; the added value of migrants in the European social context, including the way they contribute to social cohesion, support and solidarity; the ways migrants contribute to European cultural diversity, including the production of new cultural models, and the co-creation of cultural products.
- Author: MAX project, Diesis Network
- Published on: 01/01/2017
How Social Enterprise contribute to sustainable food systems
Our study begins with an overview of food systems, and a brief discussion of the concept of sustainable food systems. T he second part deals with the social economy and social enterprises as models for the development of sustainable food systems, and presents some alternative patterns for food systems developed by social economy enterprises, such as social farming and community food. The third part of the study focuses on the role of the social entrepreneur and presents some good practices of social enterprises involved in creating sustainable food systems. This research has enabled us to elaborate some observations on the role of social economy organisations in the implementation of actions toward sustainable food systems.
- Type: Good practices, Research Paper
- Author: Diesis Network
EntreComp into actiom: get inspired maket it happen
EntreComp into Action, a user guide to the European Entrepreneurship Competence Framework.
- Type: Good practices, Guide/Handbook/Toolkit
- Author: European Commission, Joint Reserach Centre
- Published on: 01/01/2018
Hanbook & Good practices: CASYE project
The handbook will contain all the relevant worksheets and materials needed when developing a mentor/mentee relationship, as well as other useful information for building your entrepreneurial idea within the CCI sector. It will help you to build both the knowledge and skills to start shaping your enterprise and lay the foundation for a successful mentoring experience.
- Type: Good practices, Framework of competences, E-learning course
- Author: Diesis Network