News of the European Social Economy
SEN#41June 2025
Cooperating within Academia to Build Bridges that Strengthen the Social and Cooperative Economy
By Millán Díaz-Foncea, Researcher at the GESES Group, University of Zaragoza, Member of CIRIEC International and the EMES International Research Network
"The International Research Colloquium on Cooperatives, held on May 30–31, 2025 in Trento, Italy, as part of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, marked a turning point for those who are actively involved in international research networks on the social economy. Organized by EURICSE and the University of Trento, in collaboration with CIRIEC International, the ICA Global Committee on Cooperative Research (ICA CCR), and the EMES International Research Network, the event stood out not only for its scientific richness but also for its ability to highlight the transformative potential of for a structured dialogue between networks that, although they often intersect through publications and projects, rarely take the time for a truly organized exchange".
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UNTFSSE discusses ways to strengthen the presence of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in major international policy processes
Held virtually on 13 May 2025, the 52nd meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) brought together more than 40 participants from over 20 member and observer organizations. It was an opportunity to reflect on strategic priorities and ensure the continued relevance and sustainability of the Task Force.
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San Sebastián hosted the 1st ASETT International Forum, calling for social economy as a driver of transformation in the face of major global challenges
The Kursaal Congress Centre in San Sebastián hosted the 1st ASETT International Forum (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank) on May 29–30, bringing together more than 100 international speakers to discuss the future of the social economy, alliances and internationalisation. Created in February 2025, ASETT is a cutting-edge hub promoted by the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) and the Mondragón Corporation. It is financed by Spain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy using European funds, and supported by numerous public institutions in the Basque Country.
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CM50 Meets in Madrid: A New Leadership Group for Cooperatives and Mutuals Promoted by the International Cooperative Alliance
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) convened on May 20–21 in Madrid for the first in-person meeting of the ‘Cooperatives and Mutuals’ Leadership Circle – CM50. This group, launched earlier this year by the ICA, aims to foster growth and innovation in cooperatives and mutuals around the globe and to advocate for national government commitments to support and expand these enterprises.
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Copa and Cogeca launch their first-ever petition in response to growing uncertainty around the “critical” CAP budget
On June 19 in Brussels, the presidents of Copa and Cogeca announced the launch of a petition titled ‘nosecuritywithoutcap.eu’, aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing the European farming community against the idea of a single fund in which the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could be diluted after 2027. According to Copa and Cogeca, the approach being taken by the European Commission contradicts both history and its own statements on the strategic importance of agriculture, emphasizing that European security “starts with food security.
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Giuseppe Guerini elected new president of Cooperatives Europe
Cooperatives Europe has announced the election of Giuseppe Guerini as its new president for the next four years. The decision was confirmed during the organisation’s General Assembly held on 2 June in Antalya, Turkey. Giuseppe Guerini brings extensive experience in the cooperative sector. He currently serves as president of CECOP and vice-president of CICOPA. He has also been a board member of Cooperatives Europe and the International Cooperative Alliance.
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CECOP organizes a session on “Expectations for the European Textile Sector: Balancing Competitiveness and Circularity” during the 2025 EU Industry Days
The European Confederation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives (CECOP), together with EURATEX and EuroCommerce, organized a session on “Expectations for the European Textile Sector: Balancing Competitiveness and Circularity,” as part of the 2025 Industry Days held on June 5–6 in Rzeszów, Poland. The event was supported by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and brought together nearly 1,000 participants, including key representatives of European industry, EU institutional leaders and policymakers.
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13th EACB Award for Young Researchers in Cooperative Banking Announced
The European Association of Co-operative Banks (EACB), in collaboration with its Academic Advisory Group, has launched a new edition of the Award for the best paper on cooperative banking authored by young researchers. The winner will receive a prize of €2,000, the opportunity to publish the paper on the EACB website, and the chance to present it publicly during a meeting of the EACB Academic Advisory Group or an event organised by the association. The call is open to young researchers up to the age of 35.
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Philea Forum 2025 Concludes in Lisbon: An Opportunity to Balance Power and Equality Through Philanthropy
The Philea Forum 2025 took place from June 2 to 5 in Lisbon, bringing together the diversity of European and global philanthropy under the theme “Power and Equality: A Balancing Act.” Organized by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Lisbon Forum gathered around 850 participants from 44 countries, including representatives of philanthropic associations, NGOs, European and multilateral institutions, and think tanks. The goal was to explore the relationship between inequality, power imbalances, and the structures that sustain them.
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European Disability Forum urges EU to maintain disability funding
The European Disability Forum (EDF) met on May 28 with European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu to advocate for “clear actions” to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the European Union. The meeting addressed the EU budget for 2028-2034 (Multiannual Financial Framework), where EDF sees “numerous risks to the continued financial support of the EU for the rights of persons with disabilities.”
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5th CIRIEC-Mexico International Congress on Theoretical Development in the Social and Solidarity Economy
CIRIEC-Mexico held its 5th International Research Congress on Social Economy on May 28, 29, and 30 at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) in Mexico City. The event gathered around two hundred researchers, professionals, and government officials under the theme: “Theoretical Development and Experiences that Strengthen the Social and Solidarity Economy in Mexico.”
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2nd CIRIEC-Spain Legal Congress - Barcelona, 29-30 September 2025
CIRIEC-Spain calls for papers for its 2nd Legal Congress. After the great success of the first edition, held in June 2023 in Cordoba, the 2nd CIRIEC-Spain Legal Congress will take place at the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) on 29-30 September 2025, under the theme “Legal challenges of the social economy: sustainability and efficiency”.
+infoEmpowering WISEs for a Sustainable Future: GreenBoost4WISEs Final Conference
The GreenBoost4WISEs Final Conference will be held the on the 25th of June, 9:00-16:00 at the European Economic and Social Committee, in Brussels. Bringing together a diverse array of social economy actors, public authorities, and mainstream businesses, EU policymakers, the conference will serve as a forum to discuss the enabling environment needed to foster green innovation at policy level and on the ground within WISEs.
+info10th International CIRIEC Research Conference on Social Economy – Early Bird until June 30
The Conference will take place in Bordeaux from 27 to 29 October. All information about registration is available on the event website. Keynote speaker will be Pavlina R. Tcherneva, President of the Levy Economics Institute, Professor of Economics at Bard College, and Director of OSUN’s Economic Democracy Initiative, NY. Her book ‘The Case for a Job Guarantee (2020)’ presents a comprehensive case for a transformative public policy.
+infoGet ready for #CoopsDay on Saturday, 5 July 2025
The International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July to raise awareness of cooperatives and promote the movement’s successes in advancing social and economic development. It highlights how cooperatives contribute to solving global challenges while building a better, more inclusive world.
