The Proximity and Social Economy group of experts supports all companies that have social or ecological added value as their primary goal or at least the equivalent with the aim of being economically profitable. Our clients' business models are responses to social and ecological needs in Europe. They aim to qualify skilled workers, educate children, promote inclusion or improve the environment in care professions. Whether demographic change or the integration of migrants, social challenges have no national borders. The Proximity and Social Economy group of experts also aims to utilise local solutions on a pan-European basis.

We can help you with:

• identify if your client belongs to the social economy
• help your social economy companies to partnering and exchange local good practices
• help your clients navigating the complexity of EU funding opportunities
• keep high in the political agenda the relevance of Social Economy, which represents over 4.3 million entities

Initiatives

Each Group meeting includes field visits to social enterprises, which also serve as examples of the social economy environment in the respective region. In addition, in 2025 we held a second event for social enterprises in Brussels with the aim of providing information on EU funding and facilitating networking between social organisations and European umbrella organisations. 

One format that we have developed and will continue to develop is organisational speed dating, which will get participants out of their social bubbles in a targeted manner. We will take part in the Sustainable Solutions Match for the second time in 2026 to bring together cross-sector sustainable solutions and needs in the social economy and organise regular ‘flashlight presentations’ as part of our virtual meetings to keep us up to date on developments and new business models from our members' regions.

In the past two years we successfully performed yearly company missions in Brussels with more than 70 participants from more than nine countries. The events have been a unique opportunity to gather social economy organisations, identify funding opportunities in this sector, build coalitions and collaborations, and meet relevant stakeholders. From sectorial umbrella organisations to Commission officials. Due to the positive feedback we are looking forward to continue this activity in the upcoming years!

Collaboration with the European Social Economy Gateway