European Social Economy Awards (3rd Edition)

Since 2021, the European Social Economy Awards have recognised remarkable Social Economy (SE) initiatives, giving them visibility in front of key SE actors and institutional representatives.

CATEGORIES:

Training and education in social economy

The aim of this category is to reward organisations that offer outstanding and possibly innovative training or education schemes linked to the skills needed specifically to develop a collaborative economy initiative or for people working (or wanting to work) in the Social Economy (SE) ecosystem. This category is open to both educational institutions and VET and lifelong learning providers, whether they are public or private entities that educate or train in SE.  Therefore, this category focuses on education for professionals, workers with already some experience related to the Social Economy or for people who have a clear will to work in the ecosystem. 

Action plans and strategies for the social economy of local governments 

This category aims to reward cities and regions that develop sound strategies to address the full potential development of HE in their territory, as a pillar of their functioning. Applicants must be local governments (at the level of municipalities or regions) with a proven track record of concrete policies and practices that integrate HE actors in their territorial development, both economically and socially. 

Housing

This category aims to reward HE initiatives that offer affordable housing solutions, providing an inspiring model against the current housing crisis in Europe. Applicants must be Social Economy organisations or enterprises, e.g. social housing, cooperatives, community land trust models...

Clean energy

This category aims to reward initiatives that provide solutions to the energy crisis in Europe by offering clean energy solutions managed by consumers. Applicants must be HE organisations or companies that supply energy locally, thus participating in EU energy autonomy and solutions against profit-driven price inflation. Both Social Economy energy producers and energy suppliers are included in this category.

Innovation in Social Enterprises for Work Insertion - with the support of ENSIE 

This category aims to reward innovative practices promoted by Social Enterprises for Work Insertion in the promotion of social inclusion and the integration of vulnerable people into the labour market. This category is promoted by ENSIE, the European Network of Social Integration Enterprises. In line with ENSIE's mission, it highlights the role of inclusion enterprises in providing employment, skills and personalised support to those facing barriers such as long-term unemployment or disabilities. The award, which celebrates best practice - from pioneering training to digital and green transition - highlights impactful strategies that enhance the effectiveness of Social Inclusion Enterprises in creating sustainable, high quality opportunities for disadvantaged people across Europe. .

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The type of organisation or company eligible to participate depends on the category:

📖 The HE training and education category is open to both educational institutions and training providers, whether public or private entities.

🏢 The category Local Government HE Action Plans and Strategies is open to municipalities and regions of any country from the list of eligible countries below.

🏠🔋 The categories of Housing and Clean Energy are open only to social economy enterprises and organisations such as cooperatives, mutual societies, associations, foundations, social enterprises...

💡 The category of Innovation in Social Inclusion Enterprises is open to all social inclusion enterprises, a specific type of social economy enterprise. Insertion enterprises take various forms across Europe, but ENSIE defines them according to three key principles. They are enterprises with a social mission to integrate vulnerable people into society and the workforce. Their main objective is the social and professional inclusion of those facing exclusion and disadvantage. Through continuous training and support, insertion enterprises equip people with the necessary skills and experience to access sustainable employment and regain their status as active workers. As mentioned above, the category aims to reward innovative practices promoted.

🌍 In terms of geographical scope, to be eligible, candidates' headquarters must be located in an EU-27 Member State or in the following regions: the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia), the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine), Turkey, the Southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia), the United Kingdom and the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Entries for each of these categories can be submitted before 16 June 2025.

Send Your Application Here!

A balanced jury of social economy experts, researchers and representatives of EU institutions will select three finalists for each category. One member of each organisation selected as a finalist will be invited to the Awards Gala at the EU Social Economy Week on 15-18 September in Murcia.

If you have any questions, please send an email to contactsocialeconomy [dot] eu [dot] org (contact[at]socialeconomy[dot]eu[dot]org) . 

Link to European Social Economy Awards Website: Social Economy Europe

Author: Social Economy Europe