The Social Economist is back for its much-anticipated Season 3, and it’s setting the tone for what promises to be a pivotal year for the social economy. In the first episode, titled “2025: A Challenging Year for the Social Economy,” host Toby Gazeley from Euclid Network sits down with Valentina Patetta from the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers (FEBEA) to unpack the shifting policy and political landscape shaping Europe’s social economy.
A Year of Change and Challenge
The conversation opens with reflections on the policy transformations since the 2024 European elections and how the U.S. Presidential Election has reverberated across the Atlantic. Together, Toby and Valentina dissect the evolving rhetoric within European policymaking—where words like “competitiveness” and “simplification” are increasingly front and center. But are these just euphemisms for deregulation? And what could that mean for organizations working toward inclusive, sustainable growth?
Listeners gain insight into how the European Commission’s stance on the social economy may be shifting amid new political realities, and what this could mean for those working to strengthen social finance, ethical banking, and impact-driven enterprises across the continent.
The Broader Context: Energy and Defence on the Agenda
Season 3 sets out to explore the big themes dominating Europe’s 2025 agenda—from energy transition policies to the growing focus on European defence spending. These developments are not happening in isolation; they are reshaping the ecosystem in which the social economy must navigate, adapt, and continue to advocate for people and planet-centered progress.
Podcast Picks from the Guests
To wrap up the episode, Valentina shares two insightful news podcasts that keep her informed:
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Scanner by Italian journalist Valerio Nicolosi
Toby, meanwhile, offers something more lighthearted for balance: Good Hang with Amy Poehler — a refreshing dose of humor amid heavy policy talk.
With its sharp analysis and grounded conversation, The Social Economist once again proves why it’s a must-listen for professionals, policymakers, and changemakers across Europe.
