Social economy

The social economy, which puts people back at the heart of the economy and is based on democratic governance, is a promising path to economic development that is mindful of the social and environmental harmony of territories and capable of addressing the economic, ecological and social crises facing our societies.

The European think & do tank POUR LA SOLIDARITÉ – PLS has been investing in the promotion of these new forms of entrepreneurship for over ten years, and continues its pioneering work by breaking new ground in areas such as green jobs, renewable energy cooperatives and culture as a vector for inclusion.

News

  • Social affairs

Improving European youngsters’ employability in the audiovisual sector and their active citizenship

The closing conference of the BE UNIT project, held on 4 December 2025, highlighted the realities faced by young people seeking to enter the European audiovisual sector, as well as recommendations to foster young people’s cultural participation.
  • Citizen participation ｜ Social affairs

Professional and Civic Inclusion of Young People through Culture: Video Festival and Advocacy

In September, the city of Turin hosted the international short film festival “Moonstep”, an event entirely organized by young people from Belgium, Italy, and Hungary. More than just a film showcase, this festival served as a true springboard for the sociocultural and professional inclusion of young European adults.
  • Social affairs

BE OFF by BE UNIT: Supporting young people in organising a video festival

BE OFF was one of three short film pre-selection events organised by young people as part of BE UNIT – a European project that aims to develop the skills of young people in Belgium, Italy and Hungary in the fields of audiovisual media, event management and advocacy strategies.
  • Social affairs ｜ Social economy ｜ Sustainable development

Acquiring or improving digital skills: online training coming soon

The partners in the Skills to Connect project are working on an online course to train people in basic digital skills. They recently met in Porto.
  • Citizen participation ｜ Social affairs ｜ Social economy

Training in Italy to boost employability and active citizenship among young adults

Together in Italy, POUR LA SOLIDARITÉ – PLS and its partners ran a series of training workshops for 45 young adults from Italy, Hungary and Belgium, to develop their audiovisual skills and active citizenship.
  • CSR & diversity ｜ Social affairs

Tools for mentoring young people

Find out about practical tools for the different stages of a mentoring program.

 
All the latest news on the social economy

European Observatory of the Social Economy

Discover our information and analysis platform on SSE and social entrepreneurship for private and public players interested in this form of alternative economy.

ess-europe.eu

Publications

  • Social affairs

Recommendations to enhance employability to youngsters in the audiovisual field and reduce barriers to cultural participation

The BE UNIT advocacy paper shows how boosting young people’s skills through the audiovisual sector can enhance their inclusion and cultural participation in Europe.
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  • CSR & diversity ｜ Social affairs

SportyMentor : Sport and mentoring to help disadvantaged young people !

SportyMentor’s first deliverable – a guide to define the scientific basis of the support programme that will be proposed – is now AVAILABLE on the project website in all the languages of the consortium (English – French – Portuguese – Romanian).
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  • Social affairs ｜ Social economy ｜ Sustainable development

THIRD PLACES IN EUROPE A comparative analysis

POUR LA SOLIDARITÉ-PLS, commissioned by the Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires (ANCT), presents a comparative analysis of third places in Europe.
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  • CSR & diversity ｜ Social affairs

De strijd tegen partnergeweld in het Brusselse Gewest: werk als katalysator voor emancipatie!

Vandaag is het meer dan ooit noodzakelijk om het behoud en de (re-)integratie van vrouwen die met geweld worden geconfronteerd in beschermende organisaties te bevorderen en te vergemakkelijken. Ontdek onze aanbevelingen in deze policy paper.
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  • Social affairs

Immigrant population and the labour market

Études & Dossiers, Social Affairs, December, 2004
  • Social affairs

Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity: findings, issues and perspectives

Special Issue, 2011
All social economy publications

Projects

  • Social affairs

POWER – Promoting opportunities for engagement for adults with disabilities

The POWER project aims to strengthen the inclusion of people with disabilities in society through volunteering. It responds to a major social need: combating ableism, changing perceptions of people with disabilities, and recognising their role as full participants in social life.
  • Social affairs

NEETwork – Equipping Integration Professionals to Address the Challenges Faced by NEET Youth

The NEETWork project aims to build a community of stakeholders at both local and transnational levels, capable of designing new practices and methods to improve the inclusion of NEET young people and those experiencing disengagement.”
  • Social affairs

BOOST AVENIR: Navigate with Confidence Through Mentoring

The BOOST AVENIR project aims to support the socio-professional integration of young people aged 15 to 25 through mentoring, by developing innovative tools. The project is part of a cross-border collaboration between two territories: the Hauts-de-France region and Wallonia.
  • CSR & diversity ｜ Social affairs ｜ Social economy ｜ Sustainable development

EGAL’ ASSO: Promoting gender equality in associations

Funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, the Égal’Asso project aims to improve support for changes in internal and external practices related to gender equality within associations employing between 0 and 25 staff members.
  • Citizen participation ｜ Social affairs ｜ Social economy ｜ Sustainable development

RAAVI – self‑determination and disability

The RAAVI project – rethinking self‑determination, acting for an Inclusive Life – aims to help transform professional and organisational practices in order to create an environment that fosters the self‑determination of people with disabilities. The project is the result of a cross‑border collaboration between three regions: Hauts‑de‑France, Flanders, and Wallonia.
  • CSR & diversity ｜ Social affairs

MentorYou – Mentoring Towards Employment in the Brussels-Capital Region

MentorYou is a free support programme for job seekers in the Brussels-Capital Region.
All social economy projects

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