We are in a historical momentum. Social Economy is now at the centre of the European Strategy. We have reached a lot, but the challenges that we are facing as society must be taken seriously, and we cannot do it alone: social economy knows about it because we have always believed that teamwork is the key to face the future. We have the strength and the capabilities to face those challenges, and that’s why one of our goals is to increase our workforce up from 6.3% to 10% in 2030. The world needs us: let’s build a stronger system than before, let’s build the foundations of a green, digital and inclusive Europe.

This year, these prestigious Social Economy Awards will have four categories: 

For those organisations which work towards the following topics: Inclusion of vulnerable or marginalised individuals, such as migrants, or other minorities far from the labour market; accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities; gender equality; LGTBI Rights; youth social entrepreneurship and inclusion of young people in the labour market; innovative social services, including innovation in care services; other solutions to social issues.

 

In the European Year of Skills, this category aims to award organisations working on upskilling and reskilling social economy employees, potential entrepreneurs, students etc. and/or on the development of training and courses related to social economy, such as educational cooperatives, VET cooperative centres, universities, etc.

For organisations working on renewable energy, housing, sustainable mobility, the circular economy, water management, sustainable food production among many others and/or in the action areas of the Green Transition of the Transition Pathway for the proximity and social economy ecosystem.

For social economy initiatives operating in the digital economy or with an important focus on technological innovation and/or working in the action areas of the Digital Transition of the Transition Pathway for the proximity and social economy ecosystem.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Social economy enterprises and organisations, such as cooperatives, mutuals, associations, foundations, social enterprises, ethical and alternative banks and financiers, micro-credit institutions, labour societies and other similar social economy forms; whose head office is located in an EU-27 Member State or in the following regions: the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia), the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine), Turkey, Southern Mediterranean Countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia), the UK and the EFTA Member States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

Applications for each one of these categories can be submitted on this Google forms by August 31, 2023.

A balanced jury formed by social economy experts, researchers, and representatives of EU Institutions will select three finalists for each category. One member of each organisation selected as finalists will be invited to the Gala of The Awards on November 14, in San Sebastian (Spain). 
GOOD LUCK!