Last week, the University of Patras hosted a landmark event for the European social economy community: the International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation – Open Business for Community Development, organized by the Laboratory of Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation and the OBCD Project. Held at the Conference and Cultural Center of the university, the two-day conference brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and social enterprise leaders to explore the role of openness and cooperation in driving sustainable local development.
A Gathering of Ideas, Policies, and Practice
From its opening session, the conference set a collaborative and forward-looking tone. Representatives from the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, regional government, the Chamber of Achaia, and the academic and social enterprise communities emphasized the need to reimagine development strategies rooted in social value, equity, and resilience. Their shared message underscored the conference’s central aim: to strengthen the institutional, educational, and financial infrastructure for social entrepreneurship in Greece and across Europe.
The morning keynote sessions on Day 1 outlined both the policy landscape and the practical challenges facing the sector. Notable presentations included analyses of EU flagship initiatives, Greece’s national strategy for the social and solidarity economy, and emerging capacity-building frameworks such as the OBCD project. Each contribution highlighted both the progress made and the critical gaps that remain, particularly in terms of training, coordination, and local implementation.
Financial Tools, Ecosystems, and Institutional Innovation
Subsequent sessions addressed the question of financing and ecosystem development. Through case studies on LEADER funding, cooperative financing mechanisms, and regional initiatives, participants explored new pathways to support social and solidarity economy (SSE) organizations. Discussions emphasized the role of decentralized governance, place-based approaches, and the importance of intersectoral partnerships in building durable support structures for social enterprises.
The session on support ecosystems highlighted both the conceptual underpinnings and real-world applications of open innovation in the social economy. The OBCD Local Hub model, developed in collaboration with partners from Greece, Finland, and Spain, emerged as a compelling example of how co-designed, modular ecosystems can be adapted to local contexts. Presenters from regional innovation hubs and employment services underscored the need for flexible, user-driven infrastructures that bridge the gap between public policy and grassroots entrepreneurship.
Training, Research, and Practical Tools for Social Impact
The afternoon sessions of Day 1 focused on the educational and research components of the OBCD initiative. Research teams from Spain, Finland, and Italy presented findings on training needs and skill gaps in the social economy, with particular emphasis on the development of a new competence framework, SEntreComp, tailored to the realities of social enterprises. The piloting of the OBCD training modules and open online course (MOOC) demonstrated the potential of open education as a strategic lever for inclusive local development.
Parallel research paper sessions added depth to these discussions, with contributions addressing everything from impact evaluation frameworks to marketing strategies for NGOs and spatial dynamics affecting social enterprise development in different European regions.
Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, and the Expanding Frontiers of Social Entrepreneurship
Day 2 began with a keynote session focused on the intersection of social entrepreneurship, agriculture, and sustainability. Speakers showcased innovative examples from rural cooperatives, women-led enterprises, and community-owned energy initiatives. These stories served as powerful reminders that local entrepreneurship, when grounded in community needs and values, can offer scalable and replicable solutions to global challenges.
Workshops throughout the day provided hands-on engagement with the tools and methodologies developed through the OBCD project. Participants explored the E-Service Platform, the Social Impact Assessment Tool, and the Business Model Canvas in sessions led by project partners from Greece, Italy, and beyond. The final sessions revisited the roots of the cooperative movement, offering historical context and strategic lessons for the present.
Concluding Thoughts
The OBCD International Conference made clear that the future of social entrepreneurship depends on more than ambition and good intentions. It requires infrastructure — educational, institutional, and financial — as well as a mindset of openness, collaboration, and continuous learning. By bringing together diverse stakeholders in an environment of mutual respect and shared purpose, the conference created not only a space for dialogue, but also a foundation for long-term cooperation.
As the challenges facing communities across Europe become more complex, the work showcased at this conference offers both inspiration and practical guidance. It is now up to each of us — whether as researchers, practitioners, or policymakers — to take these insights forward and continue building a more inclusive and sustainable economy from the ground up.
For more information about the OBCD project and future activities, visit:
www.obcdproject.eu
www.upsesil.upatras.gr
