Strengthening Social Economy Networks for Impact and Resilience
Across Europe, this initiative empowers social economy networks through knowledge sharing, capacity building, policy dialogue, and cross-border cooperation. By linking local action with European ambitions, it boosts resilience, sparks collaboration, and accelerates the social economy’s transformative impact.
Strengthening Social Economy Networks for Impact and Resilience is a 3-year European initiative funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), coordinated by Diesis Network together with a strategic consortium composed of Social Economy Europe (SEE), EURICSE and REVES – European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity, visibility and connectivity of social economy networks across Europe, fostering more resilient, inclusive and collaborative ecosystems able to address today’s social, economic and territorial challenges.
It seeks to bridge the gap between EU policy and real local impact by providing concrete support, cooperation spaces and capacity-building opportunities tailored to the realities of social economy ecosystems across different European territories.
Our Objectives:
Strengthen social economy networks and their operational capacity
Foster transnational and macro-regional cooperation
Promote peer learning and exchange of practices
Enhance dialogue between social economy actors and public authorities
Support more resilient, connected and innovative ecosystems
Increase the visibility and political recognition of the social economy
How we support
Networks and Ecosystems
Micro-grants for Social Economy Networks
We will provide €140,000 in grants to support local and regional social economy networks. The funding will help organisations work together, build stronger connections, and develop the skills and resources they need to grow their impact.
Training & Peer Learning
A series of 20 training sessions (online and in person) and 10 peer-learning exchanges will give social economy organisations and networks practical opportunities to learn, share experiences, and strengthen their work together.
Policy labs
The project will develop 10 thematic policy labs designed to foster direct dialogue between local and regional authorities social economy actors support organisations and networks. The objective is to co-create solutions and policy recommendations rooted in the real needs of territories and communities.
Macro-regional Clusters
We will establish coordination and cooperation structures across 5 European wider regions, fostering cross-border collaboration, trust-building and long-term ecosystem connections among social economy stakeholders.
United for a stronger social economy
This campaign aims to raise the visibility and recognition of the social economy across Europe by highlighting its positive contribution to local economies, communities, innovation, and a more inclusive and sustainable future. It will showcase the diversity and impact of the social economy ecosystem while fostering greater awareness, engagement, and collaboration among social economy actors and wider stakeholders.
Knowledge
for Stronger Ecosystems
New resources, methodologies, research outputs and practical tools will progressively developed throughout the initiative.
These include:
- research and mapping activities
- policy and thematic papers
- training materials
- peer-learning insights
- ecosystem-building methodologies
- communication resources and publications
These new tools aim to support social economy organisations, networks, public authorities and ecosystem enablers in strengthening cooperation, resilience, and long-term impact.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Acknowledgment
This website is funded under the call ESF-2025-AG-NETW-MF-SE, topic ESF-2025-AG-NETW-MF-SE, type of action ESF Project Grants.
Granting authority: European Commission-EU
Project number: 101261604