Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting a EU project-building workshop with our Euclid Network members, where we gathered valuable insights on the future of the social enterprise ecosystem. The session was centred around the recently launched call for proposals under the ESF+ strand—an Action Grant aimed at supporting EU networks engaged in social economy, social enterprise finance, and microfinance.
As part of the workshop, participants took part in a survey focused on the EU’s latest funding opportunities for social enterprises. The results highlighted a strong sense of optimism about the sector’s growth, with members most excited about the expansion of social enterprises, strengthened policy support, and enhanced cross-border collaboration. One of the most prominent themes in discussions about emerging trends was the increasing role of AI in the social economy landscape.
When it comes to key activities, our members emphasised the importance of supporting access to funding, advocacy and policy engagement, and peer learning and exchanges. Looking ahead to the next three years, the top priorities identified by our members include reinforced EU policy support, better access to social finance, and fostering cross-border knowledge exchange.
Members also provided valuable recommendations to strengthen ongoing initiatives such as our Communities of Practice, the Social Economist Podcast, the European Social Enterprise Monitor, our community and member meetings, and the EU funding toolkit. Additionally, there was a strong call for deeper research into the challenges facing social enterprises, improved data on social impact measurement, and more support for cross-border capacity-building programs and thematic communities of practice.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated and shared their insights. Your feedback is essential in shaping our future activities and ensuring that we continue to advocate effectively for the social enterprise sector. Together, we can drive meaningful change and build a stronger, more resilient social economy across Europe.
