The Portuguese and Spanish sections of CIRIEC are jointly organising the 11th Iberian Colloquium on Social Economy, which will take place from 27 to 29 May 2026 in Caldas da Rainha (Portugal) under the theme ‘Social Economy and Territorial Cohesion – The role of regional and local authorities’. CIRIEC encourages participation in the colloquium through the submission of papers, with the deadline for abstracts set for 4 March. Proposals may be submitted via the following platform. To date, nearly one hundred paper proposals have already been received, demonstrating the interest generated by the call.
The event is a benchmark space for dialogue, reflection and the advancement of knowledge on the social economy in the Iberian Peninsula. In its 11th edition it will be entitled ‘Social Economy and Territorial Cohesion – The role of regional and local authorities’. Among the confirmed speakers is Roberto di Meglio, an expert who collaborated for many years with the ILO and the UN Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE).
The Iberian Colloquia on Social Economy organised by CIRIEC stand out for their ability to bring together academics, institutional leaders and sector professionals within a framework of scientific rigour, co-operation and social commitment, fostering the exchange of ideas, the presentation of research work and the dissemination of good practices. Thanks to their integrative and cross-border approach, the colloquia not only strengthen collaboration between Spain and Portugal, but also contribute to highlighting the strategic role of the social economy as a driver of sustainable development, social cohesion and economic progress. Among the networks collaborating in the colloquium are the Ibero-American Observatory OIBESCOOP; ENUIES, the network of university centres and research institutes in Social Economy; and REJIES, the network of young researchers in SSE.
Round tables and thematic areas
At the Caldas da Rainha Colloquium, round tables on Territorial policies for the promotion of the social economy with sector professionals are planned, as well as paper presentation sessions. The organisers invite the submission of original contributions, preferably around the following thematic areas:
- The promotion of the social economy by local and regional governments.
- New forms of social entrepreneurship.
- Social economy and sustainable territories.
- Social economy and social innovation.
- Social economy and inclusion.
- Social economy and the labour market.
- Public policies and the social economy.
- Legislative developments in the field of the social economy.
- The impact of the social economy on the territory: measurement and dimensions.
- History of co-operativism and the social economy.
Caldas de la Reina (in Portuguese and officially Caldas da Rainha) is a Portuguese city in the Oeste intermunicipal community, with nearly 31,000 inhabitants. It forms part of ‘Turismo do Centro’, belonging to the historic province of Estremadura.
Just over an hour from Lisbon (80 km), it is a city that prides itself on being a therapeutic and artistic haven. The town has been designated a UNESCO Creative City.
