News of the European Social Economy
SEN#50April 2026
50 issues of “Social Economy News”, expanding the reach of the social economy worldwide
Barbara Sak, Director of CIRIEC International, and José Luis Monzón, Director of CIRIEC Spain and Honorary President of CIRIEC International
What a great idea it was to launch this project—and here we are already at the 50th issue, some six years later. At the end of 2020, CIRIEC-Spain initiated this information bulletin on the social economy, “Social Economy News”, with the aim of broadening awareness of the social economy beyond a circle that was far too limited to experts in the field. The goal is to better showcase and make known the full scope of the sector and the activities of the social economy within the European Union and beyond.
Read moreHighlights
European Commission presents mid-term review of the Social Economy Action Plan and sets new priorities to 2030
The review concludes that the Plan has succeeded in generating new momentum for the European social economy by providing a coherent policy framework, mobilising funding, and increasing its visibility at both national and EU levels. Among the main achievements since 2021, the Commission notes that 21 Member States have adopted or are preparing national social economy strategies. More than €1.62 billion in EU funding has been mobilised.
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The Social Economy strengthens its role in industrial competitiveness and European democracy
Social Economy Europe has recently held two webinars focusing on the strategic role of the social economy in Europe: one dedicated to its contribution to competitiveness and reindustrialisation, and another to its function as a pillar of European democracy. The sessions highlighted a growing convergence between the agendas of competitiveness, industrial transition and democratic strengthening, positioning the social economy as a central actor in the future of the European project.
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AIM warns the EU could save €27 billion a year with fairer regulation of medicine prices
The International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) has warned, following the publication of its latest report, that Europe could save up to €27 billion annually on new medicines if prices were better aligned with real costs and therapeutic value, according to new research using AIM’s Fair Pricing Model.
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Seoul hosts the International Symposium on Social and Solidarity Finance
Seoul hosted the International Symposium on Social and Solidarity Finance, organised by the Korean Federation of Community Credit Cooperatives (KFCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The event brought together representatives from the cooperative banking sector, policymakers, financial experts and international organisations to exchange experiences and discuss the role of social finance in regional economic and social development.
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New CIRIEC Transversal Working Group on Cooperatives of Public Service - Call for Expressions of Interest
CIRIEC International is launching a new transversal working group focused on Cooperatives of Public Service (Coordinators: Timothée Duverger & Thomas Perroud). It aims to explore and revitalize the role of cooperatives as innovative vehicles for delivering public services. Building on the historical legacy of cooperatives—especially their origins in the 19th century in providing essential services—and their contemporary resurgence, the group seeks to address a critical gap in research: the understudied potential of cooperatives to reconcile commercial viability with democratic governance in public service provision.
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Social Economy Satellite Account published in Spain
Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) has published, for the first time, the Social Economy Satellite Account in Spain. This satellite account reflects the economic and employment activity of the social economy as a whole and of each of its components: cooperatives, employee-owned enterprises, mutual societies, work integration enterprises, special employment centres of social initiative, fishermen’s guilds, agricultural transformation enterprises, foundations, associations engaged in economic activity, and other specific entities, all in accordance with Spanish legislation.
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CASES publishes a report on the priorities of the social economy sector in Portugal following a national consultation
The document, drawn up following a consultation carried out between October and November 2025, brings together contributions from organisations, experts and citizens with the aim of identifying challenges, needs and opportunities. In total, there were over 1,200 visits and responses to the platform.
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ESS France publishes “The Matri-heritage: What the Pioneers of the Social and Solidarity Economy (1830–1999) Passed on to Us,” a work dedicated to the legacy of women pioneers of the social economy
This publication forms part of the ongoing project “The Heritage of Women in the Social and Solidarity Economy,” led by ESS France. A true tribute to memory, it constitutes an essential historical synthesis to better recognize the contributions of women pioneers and to encourage reflection on gender equality within the sector.
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Philea disseminates and promotes good practices by foundations in gender equality through a new study
Based on the Philea Equality Framework, the publication analyzes gender equality in relation to broader issues of power, equity, and systemic inequality. It examines the current context, including the rise of anti-gender movements, and highlights the need for strategic, collaborative, and transformative approaches.
Read moreSocial Economy Schedule
Last chance to take part in the 11th Iberian Colloquium on the Social Economy – 27–29 May in Lisbon and Caldas da Rainha (Portugal)
The Portuguese and Spanish sections of CIRIEC are jointly organising the 11th Iberian Colloquium on the 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 government’. CIRIEC invites you to participate in the colloquium, whose program is already available, as well as the registration and accommodation form.
+infoREVES Days 2026 and 30th anniversary in Östersund (Sweeden)
The Swedish City of Östersund, in cooperation with the Region of Jämtland Härjedalen, will host the REVES Days 2026 which will also be an occasion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the network. The events will bring together local and regional governments, social economy actors, civil society and academics from Sweden and other EU Member States, but also representatives of international and EU institutions or consultative bodies such as OECD, the European Commission, the Committee of Regions, or the EESC.
+infoDakar to host the 2nd African Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy (FORA'ESS) in 2026
Over three days, from 7 to 9 July 2026, Dakar will host a rich and varied programme featuring expert speakers from across the globe for the second edition of FORA'ESS (African Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy), a biennial continental platform for dialogue and collaboration dedicated to the development of the social and solidarity economy across Africa.
+info2026 IAFEP Conference, Oñati (Basque Country), 8-10 July 2026
The International Association for the Economics of Participation (IAFEP) gathers scholars dedicated to exploring the economics of democratic and participatory organizations, such as labor–managed firms, cooperatives and firms with broad–based employee share–ownership, profit sharing and worker participation schemes, as well as democratic nonprofit, community and social enterprises. The 2026 IAFEP Conference will take place at
Oñati (Basque Country), Spain University of MONDRAGON, Faculty of Business Studies.
Over 200 paper proposals have been received for the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) European Research Conference, organised by CEGEA in Valencia
The ‘ICA CCR Europe Research Conference 2026’, or European Congress of Researchers of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), organised by the Centre for Business Research (CEGEA) at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), has received over 200 proposals for papers and panel sessions, following the closure on 10 April the final deadline for the submission of abstracts. The number of proposals received suggests the conference will be a great success in terms of participation.
Considered the most important annual academic event in Europe dedicated to research on cooperatives, it will take place from 3 to 6 November 2026 in Valencia under the theme ‘Cooperative enterprises for shared progress: facing global challenges together’.
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