In August 2024, the PeerEx Programme facilitated an exchange between two key players in the social economy sector: the Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia (SEAL) and Croatia’s ACT Grupa. Held in Riga, Latvia, this two-day exchange took place from August 26-27 and focused on exploring strategic pathways for social entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation.
The primary goal of the exchange was to gain a deep understanding of the social economy ecosystems in both Latvia and Croatia. Participants engaged in lively discussions around national legal frameworks, ecosystem support mechanisms, and the challenges that social enterprises face in their respective countries. The exchange also provided an opportunity to explore how these social enterprises could innovate and scale, particularly through impact management.
The event was hosted at SEAL’s office, with various partner venues across Riga adding richness to the experience. Over two days, the participants took part in a series of workshops and collaborative sessions, which offered insights into business mechanisms, support systems, and best practices in social entrepreneurship. These sessions enabled participants to share their experiences and highlight how each country’s social economy operates. There were also visits to local social enterprises, allowing the participants to see real-world examples of successful social enterprises in action. These visits provided important context and hands-on learning, helping to bridge theory and practice.
As a result of the exchange, SEAL and ACT Grupa have strengthened their own internal capacities. The participants from both organizations expanded their knowledge and skills, particularly around impact measurement and management. They also built stronger relationships and grew their networks, especially within the Baltic and Balkan regions. This networking and relationship-building aspect of the exchange is expected to lead to future collaborations between the two organizations, laying the foundation for joint projects that can benefit both countries’ social economies.
This exchange represents more than just a learning opportunity; it was a chance to foster deep collaboration and build the foundation for future innovations. Both SEAL and ACT Grupa are now better positioned to work together on upcoming projects, using the insights and strategies gained from the exchange to drive meaningful change in their respective social entrepreneurship ecosystems.
The PeerEx Programme continues to highlight the importance of cross-border knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mutual support in fostering innovation within the social economy. As SEAL and ACT Grupa move forward, they are poised to continue growing their impact through joint projects and partnerships that address the unique challenges facing social enterprises in both Latvia and Croatia.
The success of this exchange marks just the beginning of what promises to be a long-lasting and fruitful collaboration. With the groundwork laid, both organizations are looking ahead to a future filled with opportunities to scale, innovate, and create a more impactful social economy for Europe.
