Euclid Network hosted today another session in its Driving Positive Change series, bringing together practitioners, support organisations, and ecosystem actors committed to strengthening the social economy across Europe.
The webinar focused on one key topic: how to strengthen the capacity of Social Economy Support Organisations (SESOs) so they can better support social enterprises and maximise their impact within local communities and broader ecosystems.
The session featured contributions from three experienced practitioners working directly in the field of social innovation and enterprise support:
- Marta Bergmane, Project Manager Baltics at Reach for Change
- Līva Švarce, Project Manager at Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia
- Anne Lancelot, Head of Support and International Development at ScaleChanger
Together, the speakers introduced a range of practical tools and methodologies designed to help SESOs assess, improve, and strengthen the support they provide to social enterprises.
Practical Resources for Stronger Support Ecosystems
At the centre of the discussion were two key resources developed to support organisations working within the social economy ecosystem:
- a Self-Assessment Tool designed to help organisations reflect on their current support services, identify strengths and gaps, and improve their overall effectiveness;
- and a Guide for SESOs, offering practical recommendations, strategies, and actionable insights to strengthen organisational impact and better respond to the evolving needs of social enterprises.
The speakers shared insights into the development process behind these resources, highlighting the importance of creating tools that are both practical and adaptable to different national and organisational contexts.
Throughout the discussion, participants explored how support organisations can move beyond traditional advisory roles and become stronger facilitators of innovation, collaboration, and ecosystem development.
Key Themes and Reflections
Several important themes emerged during the session.
One recurring topic was the growing need for SESOs to strengthen their own internal capacities in areas such as impact measurement, innovation support, partnership building, and strategic development. As the social economy continues to evolve, support organisations are increasingly expected to provide more tailored, specialised, and long-term guidance to social enterprises.
Another important point discussed was the value of peer learning and international collaboration. Participants emphasised that many support organisations across Europe face similar challenges and can benefit greatly from exchanging methodologies, tools, and experiences across borders.
The session also highlighted the importance of practical and user-friendly tools. Participants appreciated approaches that move beyond theory and provide concrete frameworks that organisations can directly apply within their day-to-day operations.
Building Stronger Social Economy Ecosystems
The Driving Positive Change series continues to create spaces for exchange, learning, and collaboration among organisations committed to strengthening the social economy.
By supporting the development of stronger Social Economy Support Organisations, initiatives such as this contribute not only to the growth of individual social enterprises, but also to the development of more resilient, inclusive, and impact-oriented ecosystems across Europe.
Euclid Network would like to thank all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions and active engagement throughout the session. We look forward to continuing these important conversations in future events and activities.
