The social economy ecosystem in Europe is diverse, with many organisations working on representing, supporting and promoting the social economy. In this section we aim to map key stakeholders, starting with networks that are active at European level.
The list is non-exhaustive. Organisations active in specific countries can be found in the country pages.
Social Economy networks active at EU-level
List grouped by topic
Social economy (general)
- Social Economy Europe: https://www.socialeconomy.eu.org/
- Euclid Network: https://euclidnetwork.eu/
- Diesis Network: https://www.diesis.coop/
- RIPESS Europe – Solidarity Economy Europe is the European network of the Social Solidarity Economy organisations (part of the RIPESS Intercontinental network): https://ripess.eu/en/
Cooperatives
- Cooperatives Europe: https://coopseurope.coop/
- CECOP – European confederation of industrial and service cooperatives: https://www.cecop.coop/
Research on Social Economy
- CIRIEC International: https://www.ciriec.uliege.be/en/
- EURICSE - European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises: https://euricse.eu/en/
- EMES Network: https://emes.net/
- Euclid Network: https://euclidnetwork.eu/
Social services
- ENSIE – European Network of social integration enterprises: https://www.ensie.org/
- CEFEC – Social Firms Europe (European Network of organizations that all share the objective of creating paid work for disabled and disadvantaged people.): https://socialfirmseurope.eu/
- Social Services Europe – Not-for-profit social & healthcare service providers: https://www.socialserviceseurope.eu/
Mutuals
- AIM – International association of mutual benefit societies https://www.aim-mutual.org/
Philanthropy
- Philea – Philanthropy Europe Association: https://philea.eu/
Impact Investing
- Impact Europe (formerly EVPA): https://www.impacteurope.net/
Microfinance and ethical banking
- EMN – European Microfinance Network: https://www.european-microfinance.org/
- MFC – Fundacja microfinance centre: https://mfc.org.pl/
- FEBEA – European Federation of ethical and alternative banks and financiers: https://febea.org/
Circular economy
- RREUSE – The European network of social enterprises active in the circular economy in re-use, repair and recycling: https://rreuse.org/
Digital Transition & Social Tech
- Social Good Accelerator EU: https://socialgoodaccelerator.eu/
Cities and regions
- REVES – European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy: http://www.revesnetwork.eu/
- ESER – European Social Economy Regions: ESER intiative
European networks with some links to the social economy
- Eurocities: https://eurocities.eu/
- Pour la Solidarité (European think & do thank promoting solidarity and sustainability): https://www.pourlasolidarite.eu/fr
- EASPD – European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities: https://www.easpd.eu/
- EEN – Enterprise Europe Network (esp. its proximity and social economy sector group): https://een.ec.europa.eu/
International social economy networks
Social economy (general)
- ESS / SSE Forum International: https://www.essforuminternational.com
- Social Enterprise World Forum: https://sewfonline.com/
- Global Forum for Social and Solidarity Economy (global organisation of local governments and civil society networks): https://www.gsef-net.org/
- RIPESS – Intercontinental network for the promotion of social solidarity economy: https://www.ripess.org/
- Diesis Network: www.diesis.coop/
Cooperatives
- ICA – International Cooperative Alliance: https://www.ica.coop/en
- CICOPA – International Organisation of Industrial and Service Cooperatives: https://www.cicopa.coop/
Mutuals
- AIM – International association of mutual benefit societies https://www.aim-mutual.org/
- ICMIF – International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation: https://www.icmif.org
Social entrepreneurship
- Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship by the World Economic Forum & Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship: https://initiatives.weforum.org/global-alliance-for-social-entrepreneurship/home
- ELANET (European Latin-American Network in support for Social Entrepreneurs): https://www.elanet-se.org
International networks on impact investing
- GIIN – Global Impact Investing Network: https://thegiin.org/about/
- GSG – The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment: https://gsgii.org/
- Social Value International (Global Network for Social Value and Impact Management): https://www.socialvalueint.org/
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Mapping of stakeholders and networks (33)
RSSENSIE represents the interests of national and regional networks of WISEs.
- Website
- https://www.ensie.org/
The EEN helps businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions.
- Website
- https://een.ec.europa.eu/
Euclid network represents social enterprises in Europe.
- Website
- https://euclidnetwork.eu/
Euricse’s mission is to promote knowledge development and innovation for the field of cooperatives, social enterprises and other nonprofit organizations.
- Website
- https://euricse.eu/en/
- Phone number
- +39 0461 282289
Eurocities is the largest network of European cities as they count over 200 large cities among their membership, representing more than 150 million people across 38 countries, from within and outside the European Union.
- Website
- https://eurocities.eu/
- Phone number
- +32 2 552 08 88
FEBEA brings together financial institutions from 17 European countries with the aim of developing ethical and social finance in Europe.
- Website
- https://febea.org/
The GIIN is the global champion of impact investing, dedicated to increasing its scale and effectiveness around the world.
- Website
- https://thegiin.org/
- Phone number
- +1.646.837.7430
GSEF is a global SSE network that aims to serve as a hub for sharing visions and experiences through cross-border collaboration and cooperation based on multilateral (public-private-community) partnerships for an inclusive, equitable and human centered world for all.
- Website
- https://www.gsef-net.org/en
The GSG is an independent organisation catalysing impact investment and entrepreneurship to benefit people and the planet.
- Website
- https://gsgii.org/
The International Cooperative Alliance unites, represents and serves cooperatives worldwide.
- Website
- https://www.ica.coop/en