We devote an in-depth look at the social economy and social innovation, an area full of news, events and opportunities under the 2021-2027 programming.<\/p>\n
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The social economy and social innovation have been areas of great interest to the European Union and our Guide for many years. These are two distinct concepts, but they share a common factor: the pursuit of social impact.<\/span><\/p>\n More than a decade ago, EU institutions already felt the need to define a “European model” of social innovation and to make a short (and always interesting) <\/span>\n explanatory publication<\/span>\n<\/a>. A model that defines how <\/span>“social innovation”<\/b> that set of approaches that emerge, experiment and work to address urgent and unmet social needs-while creating new relationships and social collaborations. Such social relationships and collaborations are particularly evident in the development of a’<\/span>“social economy”<\/b>, that is, of economically relevant activities aimed-rather than at profit-at seeking a positive impact on society and the community.<\/span><\/p>\n The two concepts are thus closely linked: both conceptually and (as we shall see later) from the perspective of community policies and funding.<\/span><\/p>\n The social economy and social innovation are topics of particular interest to us, because they represent the terrain of choice for those working in the Third Sector and philanthropy: that is, for many of <\/span>\n our readers<\/span>\n<\/a> and for the <\/span>\n partnership<\/span>\n<\/a> that supports our Guide.<\/span><\/p>\n Our Guide has given space to the topic by publicizing, among other things, some interesting dedicated in-depth guides:<\/span><\/p>\n We point out, in this regard, <\/span>two new in-depth guides<\/b> recently published, dedicated to:<\/span><\/p>\n The first is more devoted to the social economy and funding sources, the second to social innovation and processes to follow, but they are highly complementary to each other and effectively complement the (more general) content in our Guide.<\/span><\/p>\n Both are “must-have documents” for those interested in this area to seize the important opportunities offered by the new programming period. <\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, the time has come to explore this issue: let’s find out why.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>\n December 9<\/span>\n<\/a> the European Commission adopted a new <\/span>\n Action Plan on the Social Economy<\/span>\n<\/a>. The Action Plan recognizes the importance and potential of the social economy and proposes new initiatives to foster its development: in terms of framework conditions, access to information and funding, and strengthening European expertise in the field.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>\n Action Plan on the Social Economy<\/span>\n<\/a> captures the main contextual elements, strategic options available for the development of the sector, and identifies a work program consisting of the following points:<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>\n analysis<\/span>\n<\/a> and <\/span>\n strategies<\/span>\n<\/a> are explored in depth in two separate working papers and are summarized in a <\/span>\n summary prospectus<\/span>\n<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n L’<\/span>\n launching event of the Action Plan on Social Economy.<\/span>\n<\/a> will be held on Dec. 16 from 2:30 to 6 p.m., with the following program:<\/span><\/p>\n Here, the various components and measures under the Plan-which include in particular, as explained above, new information and funding opportunities for social economy actors-will be explained in detail.<\/span><\/p>\n This is the <\/span>\n link for registration<\/span>\n<\/a> (an <\/span>\n EU login<\/span>\n<\/a>). The event will be usable mostly online, and a recording will be made available on the <\/span>\n YouTube channel of the competent DG<\/span>\n<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Social economy actors and “social innovators” are frontline actors in accessing a wide range of community programs and funds. The <\/span>\n site that summarizes<\/span>\n<\/a> the funding opportunities of interest to them mentions basically all the major <\/span>\n European programs<\/span>\n<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, the development of “an economy that serves people” is <\/span>\n one of the current strategic priorities<\/span>\n<\/a> of the European Commission, and the topic is interdisciplinary in nature, applicable to any community sector and program. Evidence of this can be found everywhere: consider, for example, the relevance of the “social challenges” addressed by the new program <\/span>\n Horizon Europe<\/span>\n<\/a> (which we have <\/span>\n repeatedly mentioned<\/span>\n<\/a>) for actors in the economy and social innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n However, there are dedicated tools: <\/span><\/p>\n Thus, the news and opportunities in the field of social economy and social innovation are numerous and important. So as not to miss any, we summarize the highlights here:<\/span><\/p>\nFour excellent in-depth guides<\/b><\/h2>\n
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The new Action Plan on the social economy.<\/b><\/h2>\n
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The launch event of the Action Plan on the Social Economy.<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Funding for the economy and social innovation.<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What’s new, in brief<\/b><\/h2>\n
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