Yesterday, Euclid Network members came together for the third session of the Driving Positive Change (DPC) Series: Capacity Building to Scale Impact 2025–2026, a member-exclusive space designed to foster learning, exchange, and collective problem-solving across our network. Originally launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain connection in uncertain times, the DPC series has since evolved into a recurring opportunity for members to strengthen their capacity and respond to the systemic challenges facing the social economy.
This session, titled “From Margins to Policy Tables: Strategic Government Engagement,” focused on a question many Social Enterprise Support Organisations (SESOs) grapple with: how to move from reactive advocacy towards proactive, long-term collaboration with policymakers – particularly in low-trust or politically unstable environments.
We were delighted to be joined by a fantastic group of speakers who grounded the conversation in real-world experience: Toby Gazeley, Policy Lead at Euclid Network; Zeljko Mitkovski, Senior Project Manager at Smart Kolektiv; and Daniel Tesch, General Manager of Entrepreneurs d’Impact Luxembourg. The session was moderated by Inês Macieira, Communication and Member Engagement Senior Officer at Euclid Network.
Across the discussion, speakers shared honest reflections on both the wins and pitfalls of engaging with government institutions. Drawing on national and EU-level experience, they highlighted the importance of credibility, timing, and consistency when building relationships with public actors. Rather than approaching policymakers only when funding or legislative change is urgently needed, speakers emphasised the value of sustained engagement, evidence-based advocacy, and positioning SESOs as trusted partners in policy design.
A short interactive moment invited participants to imagine having just one minute with their Minister – a simple prompt that sparked thoughtful contributions and underscored how clarity of message and purpose are essential when navigating political spaces.
The conversation that followed explored how organisations can maintain momentum despite political turnover, shifting priorities, or fragile institutional trust. Speakers stressed that resilience, in this context, is not just about surviving change but about actively shaping it – through strong data, compelling narratives, and collaboration across networks.
By the end of the session, participants walked away with several concrete outcomes: practical examples of successful government partnerships; and increased confidence in positioning their organisations as essential stakeholders rather than peripheral voices. Members also exchanged resources and approaches for tracking policy developments and responding strategically as opportunities emerge.
We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers for their generosity, openness, and expertise, and to all EN members who contributed questions and reflections during the discussion. Sessions like this continue to demonstrate the power of peer learning and collective intelligence within the Euclid Network.
The DPC series will continue over the coming months, creating space for members to build skills, share experiences, and strengthen their impact in an increasingly complex environment. We look forward to welcoming you to the next session.
